Lovebirds Rachal and Ryan had a hot red wedding! They added tons of wonderful musical and retro touches and created their dream day, and we love it.
Rachal and Ryan were studying at Nottingham university when they met in 2008, and both also worked part-time in Sainsbury’s. They would leave cute notes for one another if they were working different shifts. Their first date was on April Fool’s Day, though that was lost on them at the time…
Rachal hustled Ryan at pool and that was that. He proposed while they were on holiday in Marseille in 2013. He was waiting for the perfect private moment but Marseille is a busy city and there were lots of people around at the time. He couldn’t wait any longer and got down on one knee in the hotel room, with ‘their song’ Romeo and Juliet playing on the his phone. Rachal and Ryan work because they are best friends – they have so much fun together and make each other laugh all the time. And it shows! Their wedding was vibrant and cheerful, eye-catching and oh so cool…

Brighton was an easy choice as the location – having lived there for a few years, they really enjoy it. Ryan’s family live mostly in South London and often visited Brighton when he was a child. Rachal’s family are from Nottingham and she knew they would love the town. Brighton College fitted perfectly with what the couple wanted, it was right in the centre of town yet uniquely private.
Rachal walked down the aisle with her father to Falling Around You by The Coral because it’s a song they both love. They chose I’ve Just Seen A Face by The Beatles for their exit – a really upbeat song to sum up their day. Don’t Stop Ne Now played at midnight – music, love and laughter. Perfect!
Rachal found her dream dress in FairyGothMother – it was only the second shop she’d been to and she knew instantly it was the one! She wore diamond earrings and a necklace, both gifts from her mum, completing her look with Vivienne Westwood ‘Anglomania’ shoes, changing to Converse for the evening. Her sister, Ryan’s two sisters and three nieces were the bridesmaids and flowergirls, who all wore 50s-style dresses.
Rachal and Ryan both love music and used some of their favourite albums for the table plan. Instead of traditional table centres, album sleeves were used, held steady by the tops of music stands attached to the bases of Ikea lamps. A guitar case made the perfect card box. Brighton ‘Just Married’ rock was given as favours and guests were entertained by best man Joe on the guitar, who played flamenco and classic guitar, and Irish folk songs during the drinks’ reception before the meal.
Suppliers
Dress: FairyGothMother
Groom: Suit by River Island
Flowers: Flowers Unlimited
Cake: Made by Melody
Venue: Brighton College
Reception: Second-hand music posters, Lanes in Brighton
Entertainment: Garden games and a giant floor piano. Sweet and Lowdown band
Honeymoon: Spent in the South of France, taking in Nice, Monaco and Corsica
Photographer: Sara Reeve
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