Sarah and Matthew had their real wedding at St. Mary’s Church, Paignton, Devon in June 2006.
How they met
Sarah and Matthew were colleagues at a Leisure Centre in Exeter.
The proposal
Matt proposed to Sarah exactly one year to the day they started dating, while on a romantic break in Woolacombe, Devon. Matt wrote “Will you marry me?” in the sand, went down on one knee and held out the ring. He had even arranged a champagne reception back on the hotel terrace!
The bride’s real wedding outfit
Sarah wore a beautiful Ian Stuart gown purchased from The Bridal Rooms of Wellswood, Torquay. The champagne, taffeta, A-line skirt had a bias cut drape, which swept up and around the back and was trimmed with lovely rose buds. The top was a sparkly corset bodice beaded with pretty sequins and Swarovski crystals.
Accessories
Sarah wore the beautiful matching beaded choker that came with the dress in her hair and she wore some pretty small drop champagne coloured earrings.
The groom’s real wedding outift
Matt wore a smart beige jacket to compliment the champagne in Sarah’s dress. The Groomsmen wore chocolate brown suits, all hired from Pronuptia, Exeter.
The flowers
Sarah carried a beautiful array of Calla lilies, vandella roses and lots of raffia, twigs, greenery and shells.
The cake
Matt’s dad surprised the happy couple with the most gorgeous 5 tier cake at the real wedding, decorated in fresh flowers and in keeping with her day the icing matched her dress.
Recepion
On the tables sat tall glasses with shells arranged at the bottom and decorated with raffia, twigs, bear grass, calla lilies and vandella roses to match Sarah’s bouquet.
Favours
The Ladies were given champagne coloured organza pouches containing five chocolate hearts; the men received chocolate coloured boxes containing Belgian seashells. The children had a goody bag each and the babies were given an engraved wooden push up toy.
The real wedding theme
In keeping with the proposal, Matt and Sarah chose to have a beach theme with natural colours and plenty of raffia and shells.
Special moments
“During Matt’s speech he surprised me by going behind the stage, bringing out his guitar and serenading me with Jack Johnson’s “Better when we’re together” – there wasn’t a dry eye in the house! I am a Road Safety Officer and my colleagues turned up outside the church in their full-on fluorescent uniform to surprise us with a guard of honour of lollipops”.
The honeymoon
They spent an amazing week in a deluxe water villa in the Maldives – paradise!
