This gorgeous wedding day was full of sparkles and glitz, and with an old Hollywood glamour theme this couple certainly celebrated in style…
How they met
The X Factor dancer Kristina and Notts County footballer Alan first met back in 2007 when she was filming Mamma Mia and Alan was playing for England. “A lady approached me in the Pinewood Studios café asking if I could help her out as she was short of people for a photoshoot,” recalls Kristina. As luck would have it, the shoot featured members of the England football team, including Alan. After four years of being close friends, Alan and Kristina finally became an item. “He’s always said he wanted to marry me though!” smiles the bride.
The proposal
Kristina came back to the couple’s home after a day out shopping, only to find that Alan had filled their shared bedroom with candles as a surprise. Alan told her to go further into the room where there were even more candles and a slate sign on the bed saying ‘will you marry me?’ “I turned around with tears in my eyes and he came dancing up to me with the ring box!” Kristina smiles. “I couldn’t see anything because of the tears so he had to place the ring on my finger for me. Neither of us even remember if I said yes!”
The bride’s outfit
Kristina opted for a Sottero & Midgley gown, which she found in Casamiento Bridal store. “When I tried it on I knew it was the dress I wanted straight away,” Kristina explains. Her dreamy gown featured a sweetheart neckline and low back with Swarovski-covered buttons. To finish the look, Kristina wore glamorous Christian Louboutin heels encrusted with Swarovski crystal, and a pretty waist-length veil. “I wasn’t actually that keen on having a veil, but once I put it on I felt like a bride!” she recalls.
The groom’s outfit
Alan wore a J Lindeberg black tuxedo from Accent Menswear in Leeds. A black silk bow-tie, crisp white shirt and patent black shoes all completed his look. “The moment I saw Alan when I was walking down the aisle, I thought he looked like the most handsome man I’d ever seen!” Kristina smiles.
The bridesmaids
Kristina was attended by four bridesmaids, and her sister Cassie was maid of honour. The girls’ dresses were in a classic Audrey Hepburn style with shoes from Dorothy Perkins and gorgeous pearl accessories. “They all looked stunning! I felt so proud having my best friends by my side,” says Kristina happily.
The hair and make-up
Zoe and Nathan Jasztal styled Kristina and her bridesmaids’ hair. “I met Zoe and Nathan when I was dancing on The X Factor. They are incredible and did an amazing job – they were so calming and attentive, which is exactly what you need!” Kristina explains. Make-up artist Fiona Florczak created the bridesmaids’ flawless look using Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation, while the bride chose to do her own make-up.
The ceremony
This picture-perfect couple had a civil ceremony with personalised vows that they had written themselves, and a reading by Kristina’s friend Katie – who also made all of the stationery! As the guests arrived for the reception, the bride and groom had a bagpiper circle the castle grounds. “I remember hearing the bagpipes playing on the morning of the wedding and having tears in my eyes,” Kristina recalls. The bride’s father walked her down the aisle in a traditional Scottish kilt in the Macmillan family tartan, and the Caldara String Quartet played during the entrance to The Great Hall and the vows.
The reception
One of Kristina’s favourite moments from the reception was the emotional speeches. “Alan’s brother was his best man. He was so nervous, but he spoke from the heart and it was lovely,” Kristina recalls. “My dad’s speech stole the show though – we’ve never laughed and cried so much!”
The details
The theme was old Hollywood glamour, and so this glam couple opted for a black and ivory colour scheme with a hint of gold. Each table was named after a different Hollywood star, including the likes of Fred Astaire, Steve McQueen and Elizabeth Taylor. Each tier of the luxurious four-tiered cake, made by Flissy Cakes, was a different flavour. “We cut the cake with the castle’s sword, which was really fun!” Kristina says.
The entertainment
A four-piece band, photobooth and DJ all kept the couple’s guests entertained for hours, and the dancefloor was never empty! “I surprised my dad by asking him to dance to I Loved Her First by Heartland,” smiles Kristina. The newlyweds had their first dance to All Of Me by John Legend. The party didn’t stop at midnight, but continued downstairs in the candlelit wine cellar until 3am. “Alan and I stayed up talking until 4.30am about our special day. We were on cloud nine!” Kristina says.
The honeymoon
For their post-wedding break, the couple jetted off to the beautiful Secrets Silversands resort in Mexico. “It was a mixture of relaxing in the sun and enjoying fun activities, which was perfect for us!” Kristina explains.
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