How did you meet your fiancé?

Matty and I met whenever we were teens at a photoshoot - he was the photographer and I was modelling. We clicked so well and almost instantly became besties. I friend zoned him for about 4 years LOL sorry Matty. He was honestly the bestest friend to me and we always went on so many fun adventures together. Then one day it clicked with me that he wasn’t really just a friend and I remember starting to tell all my friends and family and they were all just like… ABOUT TIME GIRL!!!

How did he propose?

Matty proposed to me during the second lockdown. Funny story - I actually ruined the first engagement plans because I caught on that he was going to propose the next day and me being me, told him that I had caught him out LOL. So that really ruined his plans but he definitely caught me totally by surprise where a few days later he transformed his whole photography office in to a real life pampas grass/ fairy lights/ photos fairytale. I walked in and he was standing with a letter and read it out to me. He got down on BOTH knees - YAYUH -and popped the question. It was a massive yes. We had takeout Wagamamas afterwards - my dream day really!

Were you wedding plans impacted by Covid-19?

We were very fortunate that our wedding date was our original date and we didn’t have to change. We are so thankful that we were also able to have all of our family & friends with us on our Wedding Day. Covid-19 still definitely impacted us though - it was very stressful in the lead up as everyone was trying their best to avoid having to isolate. So instead of spending lots of time with people in the run up, we had to really isolate ourselves. The other super stressful thing that happened was my hairdresser who was due to do my hair change during the day contacted me the night before the wedding to say she just tested positive for Covid. Thankfully I had a talented friend who helped me out with my hair on the day so all was fine! All in all - we were very blessed with our wedding circumstances in such an unpredictable time.

What brought you to Jade Alexandra Bridal?

I always knew I would get my dress from Jade Alexandra Bridal - I was lucky in that I have done shoots for Jade and got to try on so many of her dresses. Her style is just a bit of me and Jade just GETS YOU and seems to know exactly what you’re after more than you know yourself.

How did you know your dress was the one?

I never really understand or believed the whole ‘you’ll just know’ thing when you find your dress. To be honest, I found it a little hard at first because there were so many dresses and styles that I loved. However, the reason I knew mine was ‘the one’ was because out of all the dresses it was the one I wanted to keep trying on ‘just one more time’ and the one I wanted to stay in the longest and strut around the shop in.

Do you have any dress shopping top tips for future brides?

Go open minded on different styles because from experience, you might go totally different to what you imagined!
Feel cute on dress shopping day - doing nice hair & makeup is essential lol.
Take advice from whoever you brought with you because they will know you well and will hopefully be super honest!
Take loads of pics AND videos in your fave few dresses from loads of different angles (even your ‘uglier’ angles) and look at them over the next few days. This helped me so much to know which one I was going to feel the best in on the day and in photos.
Second looks are key!
Don’t over think it - just go with what you feel beautiful in!

Where was your ‘go-to’ for wedding planning inspo?

Pinterest all the way!

What was the highlight of your wedding day?

So hard to choose but probably our ceremony and reading our vows to each other. We wrote and read out our own vows which is a moment I’ll remember forever. It was honestly the most incredible, emotional, intimate, special and joyful moment of my life.

Did you stick to traditions, or add anything new into your day?

We definitely tried to shake up the traditional way of doing things in some areas of our day. To name a few we mixed up our guests rather than having them on certain sides during the ceremony. We wrote our own vows rather than saying the traditional ones. We also did speeches a little differently - we added a few extra speeches which wasn’t the ‘norm’ such as the maid of honour, mum and friends. We recommend doing this and not feeling like you have to have certain people. Oh, we also didn’t bother having a cake - instead we got our fave - donuts! We also had a daddy daughter & mummy son dance which was so special.

Did you have something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue?

Yes! Mum did this with me the morning of my wedding. Super special memory!

Something old: Mum gave me an old family jewel which she had kept especially for my wedding day.

Something new: Mum made sure to get me some of my fave goodies for honeymoon.

Something borrowed: An umbrella - it was giving rain for that day LOL.

Something blue: I have a tattoo of a bluebell symbolising ‘everlasting love’ - so Mum dried me a bunch of bluebells and put them in a frame along with my favourite bible verse.

DREAM TEAM

Dress - TISSAIA by Anna Kara

Veil - J/A Silk Tulle Veil

Venue: We used our friend’s beautiful Manor House in Portadown. So thankful that they let us use their home to make our dream venue come to life.

Photographer: Calvin Craig Photography

Florist: Origin Flowers

Cake: Oh Donuts personalised message box - we got ‘Just Married’

MUA: Elanna McGowan aka EllePearls

Hair: Elanna McGowan aka EllePearls and hair change was my friend Deyna Seffen

Bridesmaid Dresses: Petal and Pup

Menswear: Dee Graham Tailor Made

Jewellery: Mejuri