We got married at Kendal Parish Church on 14th August 2021, followed by a glorious reception at Castle Green Hotel.
I met Jonny through my sister and brother-in-law. After years of them trying to set us up, and then years of friendship, we eventually re-met at the same church we would end up getting married in!
We were together 4 years before getting engaged on our annual White Moss Walk around Rydal Water.
I’d always known I wanted to get married at Kendal parish Church with our vicar Ashley Henderson, it is such a beautiful church that had been a huge part of our lives for weddings funerals and christenings. As we both do lots of project management in our jobs, the wedding was easy enough to plan; a spreadsheet and a drop box folder helped us prepare for the big day! We both love big cars and vintage things, so the them was easy. We had vintage looking flowers with muted colours, and we spent a year restoring a vintage car together. Maggie The Nissan Figaro made it to the big day, the table decorations were of her, and she is named after my granny who is no longer with us.
When it came to the dress, I knew I wanted something special. As a professional singer, I wear a lot of lovely gowns and wanted my wedding dress to be different, but not gimmicky. Something classing, Audrey Hepburn- style, but with some flair to show me!
My mum and I went to a friend’s shop Simply Web Bridal during the pandemic. We had to wear masks and gloves, and my mum helped me with trying on. I tried on around 5 dresses, but none were perfect. After several hours, I was ready to leave without a dress. Then the lovely lady in the shop said she had one more dress I could try in my style, but it was a size smaller than the others so may not fit. I nearly didn’t try the dress on!
When I walked out to look in the big mirror, I started to cry, my mum started to cry, the ladies in the shop started to cry! It was perfect. Perfect fit, detailed sequins and beading, vintage with lace but not puffy. I couldn’t believe how lucky I was to find the Cara dress _style 69413.
We were so lucky to have our wedding in August, when all restrictions had lifted. Everything went to plan. My favourite part of the wedding was walking down the aisle and seeing Jonny waiting for me at the end with tears in his eyes. We were both so exhausted from wedding planning, and we don’t sleep well without each other so it was a huge relief to see him standing there and we could finally be married.
I asked members of the choir I managed to come and sing as a surprise flash mob in the church as we left. We turned to face the congregation and the string quartet began to play ‘Zadok the Priest’ then angelic singing began from all over the church. Everyone was surprised, it brought a tear to my eye. I am so proud and grateful for the singers from National Youth Choirs of Great Britain, The Brewery Community Choir and the Darlington Operatic Society.
My advice to future brides is to find time for each other on the day and savour every moment as it’s over too quickly!
Our photography was by Claire Hirst Photography.
Written by Emily Cook