Samantha and Alex tied the knot on 31st December welcoming in the New Year in style! Their rustic wedding day had that oh-so-special hint of sparkle.
The proposal
Alex’s lavish proposal plans went out of the window when he developed norovirus, leaving him housebound. “Instead, he proposed at home on my birthday after a lovely meal,” says Samantha. “I was extremely surprised – I always thought I would know when Alex would propose but he did a great job keeping it a secret.”
The bride’s outfit
Samantha looked sensational in her ivory tulle and duchess satin gown from Ellis Bridals, with its embellished sash and button back. “Funnily enough, it was the first dress I had cut out of a magazine for my wedding scrapbook. I knew it was ‘the one’ as soon as I put it on and I wasn’t interested in trying any more,” Samantha explains. She added Jenny Packham jewellery and nude patent Christian Louboutin shoes, bought by her husband on a surprise trip to Paris.
The groom’s outfit
Alex looked stylish in a grey Austin Reed suit, brown brogues and his late father’s braces.
The bridesmaids
Samantha’s five bridesmaids looked dazzling in their mismatched gowns. “Three of them wore full-length grey Alfred Sung dresses in different styles, while the other two wore grey sparkly gowns from French Connection,” says Samantha. Her little cousin was the flowergirl in a cute ivory tulle and satin dress from Debenhams.
The ceremony
Samantha and Alex tied the knot on New Year’s Eve in a civil ceremony at the Old Kent Barn. “My grandad walked me down the aisle and both of our mums did a reading of their choice,” Samantha says. “When the celebrant presented us as Mr and Mrs O’Leary, everyone cheered loudly.”
The reception
The couple chose a rustic vintage theme for their wedding celebrations. “We decorated with lots of candles and bunting, with clocks and candelabra for our table centres,” Samantha remembers. “Our tables were named after the members of the winning World Cup rugby team, written on mini chalkboards.”
The warming menu included heart-shaped steak pies with mash, and the guests were given little jars of jam and chutney as favours. The bride also made friendship bracelets with string and silver initial beads, which were tied around the napkins as place settings. “On the stroke of midnight, we sang Auld Lang Syne with all our friends and family, and I felt like the happiest girl alive,” Samantha smiles.
The honeymoon
Samantha and Alex spent 14 nights in Bali and relaxed at the Samaya Resort. “We did nothing but eat, drink and relax – it was out of this world,” beams Samantha.
Real wedding gallery
