I met Dan through our mothers, who worked together and were friends. I had moved into the same the same apartment block as Danny and his friends, and my mother had asked Danny’s mother if we could exchange number just in case of ‘an emergency’ as I didn’t know anyone.
We both got to know each other quickly after this “arranged encounter” by our Mum’s and we spent a lot of time together and our Mum’s did say later that they did well at setting the two of us up and secretly, I think they were very pleased with themselves.
We had decided to go away for my 27th Birthday to Rhodes. On my actual birthday Dan took me out for a celebration meal and he took me to a beautiful and romantic, quaint little restaurant, which was situated right on the beach at St Pauls Bay.
As a surprise, he had requested a table in advance, which was located on the edge of the sea, and which was lit by candlelight and lanterns. It was just so beautiful, and I had no idea of what was about to follow. At the end of the evening and before paying the bill, Dan asked the waiter to take a photograph of us both and to my total surprise he dropped on to one knee, whilst retrieving a ring box from his pocket and popped the question! I immediately burst in to tears of joy and accepted his proposal, only to realise that the waiter had captured the whole event on camera with Dan’s phone.
We decided that we didn’t want a traditional English wedding and wanted to get married in Rhoades, were we already had such special memories. We had a little stress planning a wedding aboard with covid, but we made it work. It was a little disheartening with all the covid rules constantly changing, however, tried to keep our spirits high and our fingers crossed that everything would be ok and would go ahead. And lucky it did!
We wanted to get married at Kalithea Spa, which we have always had our heart on and was a beautiful location. It was a beautiful Greek destination wedding, in the sun and everyone loved it. It was like our own little big fat Greek wedding, but with a more intimate feel, which we really loved.
When looking for a dress, I always knew that a wedding in Greece required a statement white dress! Only just a few months after getting engaged I therefore started looking for a dress and I had a Pinterest Board on the go, like we all do, of what I liked.
I was talking to a client in work one day about my wedding plans, and we were sharing ideas. She was also engaged to be married and so I showed her the dress that I had saved she then recommend a local dress shop called SAS Bridal, who were having a Ronald Joyce designer weekend, showcasing their new Spring/Summer dresses which had just come in on their website. One the site they had a module who was in ‘my dress’, well the one that I had been saving over and over again. I therefore wasted no time and immediately contacted the shop to book an appointment! On the day of my appointment, I arrived at SAS Bridal with my Mum, and we met Jo who owns the bridal shop, she was so warm and welcoming, and I therefore could not recommend her highly enough to any brides to be. I explained about seeing the dress online and I showed her the dresses, which I had saved on my Pinterest Board, and she immediately pointed to “my dress”, which was on a mannequin in the shop. I couldn't believe how beautiful it was and both my mum and I were amazed at all the detailing on the dress and we both said, how the soft sparkle tule would glisten in the sun in Greece and it did just that! I just couldn't wait to get it on!
I choice the Ronald Joyce Caelyn 69407 in Vanilla, A line with a train, strapless, sweetheart neckline, lace, sparkle tule beading and detachable modesty bodice. I decided not to have the modesty bodice as I loved the way that, by being abroad in the sunshine and luckily having a suntan, it showed through the sheer panelling. This made all the beading and detailing stand out and it was my favourite bit of the dress.
We both knew that a wedding in Greece required a Statement White Dress, and this was it! I walked out of the fitting room with it on and towards my mum and she cried, I also cried and that is what is often referred to as the “Cinderella Moment” as I had not found the dress, the dress had found me, and I therefore made sure that I did not leave the shop without it.
The day for me ran perfectly and everything just fell into place. I was so excited and just beaming with happiness on the day and surprisingly very calm. Unfortunately, Dans morning wasn’t so clam. The night before the wedding he had realised he didn’t have his wedding shoes. He therefore spent the whole morning driving around in a taxi with his best man trying to find a suitable pair of shoes and after almost giving up after a 2-hour hunt, Luckily the Greek Gods answered his prays and he was able to find some.
Walking down the aisle with my dad would have to be one of my favourite parts for me. Then being able to see Dan at the end of the aisle waiting with running down his cheeks, as he isn't a crier, and he didn't even shed a tear when our daughter was born. so that was a lovely feeling.
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As a last-minute plan, just two days before the wedding, we set up a Live Zoom stream of the wedding to close family, particular our elderly Grand Parents who desperately wanted to be there with us. My Bridesmaids and our two best friends were also unable to attend due to the pandemic, but they watched the ceremony via Zoom, and I could see them crying as I got married which was lovely. It was so emotional to see over 30 people back in the UK watching and waving to us both as we got married, it was a rubber stamp on a fantastic day!
A special thanks to our wonderful photographer George.
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