Tell us about how you met and the proposal…
“We actually met on Tinder 6 years ago! It’s funny telling the story now. Within 9 months of meeting we relocated to Dubai where we have been living ever since. In August 2018 we were on holiday in Positano and we were heading out for dinner as Ryan said he had made a reservation. We got to the beach front and he had booked a private yacht for a sunset tour of the Amalfi Coast. As the yacht headed back into Positano, Ryan got down on one knee and proposed, it was magical!”
Tell us all about the dress and shopping experience…
“I visited two dress shops in Dubai and found several dresses with aspects that I liked but not something with all of the features I wanted embodied within one dress. I then visited one shop in England when I was visiting with family where I found my dream dress.
I have never been one to think about what my wedding or what my dress would be like. I am also quite short so found it to be a bit of a struggle. I wanted to still feel like myself on the day so when I found Nicolette, I knew it was perfect for me.
I chose dress and purchased it from Christina K Bridal Shop in Maidstone, Kent. I had searched on their website online before visiting and sent them some of the options that I liked the look of online to try on. When I arrived on the day they had saved them upstairs ready for me. When I tried my dress on, I really liked it and felt very comfortable in it, it was only when I walked out to my family and was greeted with a gasp and tears that I felt like this was the one!
My dress had a sweetheart neckline – which showed a nice amount of cleavage! The back was intricately detailed with lace and pearls and a gorgeous train. I actually had the dress altered slightly to achieve a more fitted / fish tail affect – it was perfect.
As my wedding present, my husband bought me a diamond tennis bracelet and diamond stud earrings which I wore. The only other piece of jewellery was my “something old” which was a ring that my great grandad gave to my great grandma on their wedding anniversary 65 years ago. I also had a very, very long veil which looked stunning in our fairy tale venue. Oh and of course, Jimmy Choo’s!”
Tell us all about the wedding…
“The planning was made a great deal easier for us, thanks to our amazing wedding planner Sarah Thomas. As we live in Dubai, were getting married in France and our family and friends were in the UK, we definitely needed the help of a planner. We never would have been able to do it without her! Personally, I used Instagram and Pinterest for wedding ideas and inspiration. We got married at Le Chateau de Bonnemare in Normandy France. It is a beautiful medieval venue with rustic rooms and open green spaces.”
What was the best bit of your wedding, and the funniest bit?
“The best part of our wedding, for me, was simply having all of my family together. Living abroad, it is hard being away from family. Ryan and I are also from different parts of the UK so it was the first time some of our family members have actually met. It was a really special weekend, something we will remember for the rest of our lives.
The funniest part of the day has to be when our coach, bringing every single wedding guest to the wedding, broke down on the way to the ceremony… I can say it’s the funniest day now, but not at the time!”
Thanks for sharing with us Louise, we are so glad you loved your Ronald Joyce dress and really made it your own! Wishing you all the best for a long and happy marriage.
Photography by Nancy Twickler.
