They met playing Volleyball for their company team and whilst Dawn struggled to decipher his Irish accent over the din on the court, Paul had no trouble spotting her million watt smile. Their friendship bloomed and in time, they became inseparable.

I would like to share with you that when Paul laughs, his eyes sparkle and the way that Dawn looks at Paul means that it’s impossible NOT to see how in love she is with him but when it comes to love stories, you can’t beat a great proposal story so rather than giving you my version, here it is in Dawn’s own words:

“Paul took me to New York for a “milestone” birthday. He’d kept it a secret and I didn’t know where we were going until we were in the departure lounge! I love New York, it’s the city in all my favourite programmes and films. We shared the flight with Snow Patrol and Paul loves to tell everyone that I didn’t recognise any of them even though I was sat down next to the lead singer! It’s why one of the songs we played while we signed the register was Chasing Cars!

Paul really spoilt me! We spent the journey drinking champagne and stayed at a New York icon, the Waldorf Astoria!  Whilst in New York, we had a shopping day along 5th Avenue (can I just point out he bought more clothes than I did!) and we ended up at Tiffany. He suggested we should look at engagement rings because somewhere down the line he might need to know what types of ring I liked. So we browsed for a long while, found a ring we both liked, and then left the store to continue browsing in Harry Winston and De Beers! After traipsing round all the jewellers we could find, Paul asked me what my favourite ring was and I told him that I was comparing everything back to the ring at Tiffany and nothing matched up – he laughed and said “One day!”

The following day we were walking around Central Park, watching the iceskating and generally clowning around. On the way back to the hotel, he said we should stop at Tiffany again because he hadn’t taken any photos of me by the Tiffany shop sign. After taking the photos, he told me he had his passport and just stood there smiling. I was quite confused and didn’t understand what that had to do with anything… He told me that without his passport he couldn’t buy the ring I loved and without the ring he couldn’t ask me to marry him! He told me that the whole trip had been planned just for that moment… then he whisked, a shocked and speechless, me inside!”

If you’re not grinning from reading that I can’t think why not!!

I really liked these guys from our very first meeting and won’t deny, I was really touched that Dawn had plucked up the courage to get in touch after telling me, very honestly, that she really didn’t like having her picture taken. By the end of the wedding, I was almost as in love with these guys as they are with each other. I’ve never been to such an intimate, relaxed and fun wedding – with only around 28 guests, this was a truly close knit affair. From the fabulous acoustic version of ‘500 miles’ during the ceremony to the lawn games, ceilidh and hog roast – this wedding was completely and utterly stonking. Yes. I said stonking.

Enjoy the images!

Venue: Hill Place, Swanmore
Florist: Jeanette Rawson
Hair: Amy Larkin
Makeup: Sarah Keenan
Dress: Maggie Sottero – McElhinneys, Co Donegal
Suit Hire: Barlett & Butcher, Alton
Entertainment: Cheesecake Band
Catering: Small Piece Catering
Invitations: Designed and made by the Bride

On a gorgeous day at the very end of April, Geoffrey and I were joined by an amazing team of vendors at Southend Barns, in Chichester, to provide wedding inspiration for brides looking for how to create a modern look within a rustic setting – the results are fabulous! At the beginning of this venture, I spent time chatting with other wedding suppliers who might share my vision.  One of the first couple of people I spoke to was Gemma and Katy at Distinctly Styled.  Having seen them in action at a wedding in Chichester, I knew that these girls could deliver something spectacular and it was their suggestion that we take a look at Southend Barns…and I’m so glad we did!  It really is a truly gorgeous location!  The space is both dramatic and versatile without being overwhelming and the team onsite are friendly and helpful…Oh, and the the onsite caterers, Field and Fork, make seriously yummy canapes! Having spent a great deal of time chatting with Distinctly Styled about the vision for the day, I still found myself stunned to find that they had perfectly created the look I had in mind – clean and contemporary but still pretty!   They took the ideas in my head and transformed them into something beautiful and tangible – seriously, every Bride and Groom needs to chat with these girls!!   I feel that Brides and Grooms are often lead down the vintage route when they book weddings at barns and in other rustic locations and I really liked the idea of showcasing a more modern style.  We settled on clean whites and fresh greens to enhance the natural environment around us and accented the styling with simple punches of colour. Alongside the styling of the venue, we were joined by hair stylist, Kelly (Bridal-Beau Hair) and make up artist, Sarah (sarahkeenan.co.uk) who are both experts in their field.  I can’t stress enough the important of having a beauty team that you trust implicitly; by finding someone well in advance of your day you can ensure that there is time to start a beauty regime, grow your hair (if necessary) and can rest knowing that you’ve got it sorted!  If you’re looking for a recommendation, then here it is!  These girls pay great attention to their clients, they take into account each individuals features and are happy to provide advice on styling to compliment your day. (Yup – that group above is the team!  Thank you all for everything!!) Finally, we were joined by Matt, from Teardrop Films, who not only provide cheeky banter and put up with my constant chatter but was on hand to create a fabulous little film for Southend Barns (Click here to take a peek!) whilst also working on an exciting project for me….more about that another time! Hugest thanks have to go to Danni and Gareth who were the winners of our competition to win a place as our featured Bride and Groom for this shoot.  Whilst not yet married, this gorgeous couple were enthusiastic, patient and great fun…and more importantly, they did a great job of ACTING like they were just married! Thank you, both, so much for all your time and for trusting us so completely – you were a dream! My final thanks going to the following suppliers that all contributed so generously to the session – it wouldn’t have been possible without you. Creatiques Bridal Boutique – 02392 826622 – For the loan of the gorgeous gown! Place Settings – 01903 743 333 – For all crockery, cutlery, glassware and linen Tangerine Dreams Creative – Stationary Amber Rose Emporium – 01243 870 612 – Florist Tinwood – 01243 537 372 – Supplier of Champagne & Ice Buckets Field & Fork – 01243 784 701 – Caterer Chatter cakes – 07817 608 995 – Wedding Cake Supplier (and maker of DELICIOUS chocolate cupcakes! If you like what you see – please do leave us a comment on the blog or help spread the word of this venue, and these talented people, by sharing the blog on social media!   Thank you!

They met at the end of 2011 when Amber needed the tyres on her car looking at, she stopped by at the garage where a very friendly guy called Matt was only too happy to assist! Amber found herself feeling rather shy…she quietly admitted to herself that she rather liked this gorgeous, cheeky, chap (and his tattoos!) but couldn’t find the courage to talk to him. Matt tells me that he thought Amber was amazingly beautiful and out of his league but in a wonderful stroke of luck, Amber overheard his name and tracked him down on Facebook! They both admit that this seems a bit ‘stalkery’ but there’s no doubt that she made the right move as on a gorgeous summers day in June this year, they vowed to love one another forever in a beautiful ceremony at Parley Manor in Christchurch.

From meeting, they both felt that the other was ‘the one’ and following Matt’s romantic proposal (think roses, candles and pictures of all their memories leading to Matt on one knee….) they planned a fabulous, pink themed, wedding day with their closest family and friends. Accented with lace and soft white and pink blooms, the detail in their day was breathtaking….from the Justin Alexander Dress to the stunning floral decoration by Simply Flower, everywhere I looked there was gorgeousness!

I am always blessed to be so well looked after by my lovely clients but Amber and Matt, I must thank you from the bottom of my heart for being such kind, thoughtful and generous people…I’ve loved sharing the journey with you and am honoured to call you friends.

Here are a selection of images from the amazing day…please feel free to share your comments at the bottom of the page and share the blog with your friends on social media!

Lucy and Doug met, rather untraditionally, outside of a Kebab shop in Southampton!  Lucy admits that she was rather the worse for wear and VERY hungry…Doug admits that his kebab was attracting a gorgeous girl far more easily than his cheesy chat up lines ever had!  Their love blossomed and it wasn’t long before they hated being apart and at the end of a fabulous holiday in Brazil they woke, on a yacht, in Rio and Lucy asked Doug to move in.

Following a romantic (but very public!) proposal on Millenium Bridge in London, Doug swept Lucy off her feet with dinner on the Thames and champagne at the OXO bar…what a guy!  (Though Doug tells me it was only as he went down on bended knee that he remembered that Lucy isn’t big on public displays of affection!  I’m so glad she still said “yes!”)

This gorgeous couple, together with their adorable son Jude, are a picture of perfect happiness.  Having photographed Jude during a baby lifestyle session and also Lucy and Doug’s engagement session, I knew I would LOVE photographing their big day but nothing prepared me for the glorious details of their Village Fete themed wedding…it was spectacular!  From the oodles of bunting to the fete games and hog roast, it was simply perfection.  The highlight, for me though, was ‘The Great Wedding Bake Off’…how can you top that?

Thank you to you both for making us so welcome at your day, you have the loveliest bunch of family and friends and I sincerely wish we could do it all again!

Lucy and Doug’s Wedding has been featured in ‘Your Hampshire and Dorset Wedding Magazine’, click here to take a look!