A May the fourth to be remembered for this Star Wars-loving couple who created a ‘Date Night’ theme for their grey and plum wedding day!
Just 16 and 21 when they met, Becky and Mark worked together in the summer before going to university where they kept in touch. They reconnected two years later and had their first date, as students dancing the night away, drinking 60p shots of vodka. This 14-year relationship has been filled with laughter – some of Becky’s happiest memories are from when they have been on holiday together. She says that Mark is a true romantic and has surprised her many many times over the although she says is normally a bit ‘rubbish’ at keeping secrets!
On Becky’s 30th birthday in June 2013, the couple held an 80s themed party. Mark was dressed up as Teen Wolf and Becky was Baby from Dirty Dancing. He had organised an Oscar-style awards evening to judge the outfits, at the end of which he announced
a ‘lifetime achievement award’, producing a bunch of flowers and a ring as he got down on one knee to propose. The roar from their guests was huge and he finally got his words out when it had finally calmed down. Even though he was half expected to do it, it was still a lovely surprise for Becky and most of the guests.
Becky finds it hard to pick just one favourite moment from their day, but says that her bridesmaid Kerry’s reaction to receiving her personalised Converse was magical, and she also loved that Mark managed to secure some Star Wars figures to turn up at the wedding. The speeches were another highlight, with funny and moving anecdotes from everyone, most notably best man Michael who had known both Becky and Mark from day one.
Becky chose Mon Cheri ‘Petunia’ for her big day. It was nothing like what she envisaged she would wear but how she felt when she put it on and her mum, sister and best friend’s reaction when she came out wearing it were enough to seal the deal! She found her jewellery on Etsy and her shoes were Rainbow Club, although for the dancing in the evening, she had a pair of Converse customised. Mark wore a customised suit from Moss Bros and an Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra (the same as Daniel Craig’s in Skyfall) that Becky gave him as a wedding gift. He accessoried with Lego cufflinks and all the men in the bridal party wore high top Converse. The bridesmaids wore Dessy dresses in the Pantone colour of the year for 2014 – Radiant Orchid. Becky recalls having to pull her dad back as he rushed down the aisle to give Becky away to Mark! The groom had written a poem called Favourite Things for the ceremony, and Becky selected The Art of Marriage as a reading that said how much she loved him and what she will do to make their marriage work.
Because Becky and Mark had been together 14 years but still ‘do’ date nights, they made ‘Date Night’ their theme. They hired Mad Philomena to help bring their ideas together, with a grey and plum colour scheme. Details included a large pinwheel backdrop, bunting, a paper maché R2D2 that doubled up as a postbox and Funko Pops in bell jars included Boba Fett and Wall-E. The Topiary Tree Florist worked with Becky to select four different flowers to form the basis of the wonderful creations throughout the day, including the buttonholes, which incorporated Lego! Sound Solutions were the DJs of choice – as part of their RSVPs, Becky and Mark asked guests to choose a song for the playlist, and the DJs played these as background tracks while guests milled around. Because it was May the fourth – National Star Wars Day, and Mark is such a fan, they hired some stormtroopers and Darth Vader who looked after the guests, including the children, during the day. They also also had a slow motion photobooth provided by Our Wedding Videographers.
Suppliers
Venue: The Ashes, Stoke on Trent
Dress: Mon Cheri
Groom: Suit from Moss Bros
Bridesmaids: Dessy
Flowers: The Topiary Tree Florist
Cake: Yummy Little Cakes
Honeymoon: Mauritius
Photographer: Ben and Hannah Appleby, HBA Photography
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