Emily and Jake's Natural Waterside Wedding and Bumble Romance

THE LOVE STORY

  • How and where did you first meet ?

We met on Bumble of all places! I wasn’t really interested or that keen to try online dating to be honest. I was a little hesitant and kept putting it off, even though my hairdresser told me that I should download the app and give it a try! Little did I know that my step-father downloaded it without me knowing and the rest, as they always say, is history! 

  • What were your first impressions of each other?

Jake loved my smile and I just thought “you’re a really genuine nice guy”. There was a strong sense of familiarity between us and it was just so easy to get along. You know when you meet someone for the first time and it just feels easy; like you’ve never ‘not known’ them? It was like that. Exactly as I hped it would be - effortless.  

  • When did you know that you were in love or that your partner was the one?

On our first date there were moments where we were in complete silence. It felt so wonderful. I felt so at ease and so comfortable in his company. It was like nothing I had ever experienced before on a date and I remember thinging to myself - this is special. Turns out, I was right!

“ Jake’s dad made a bet with him that I wouldn’t turn up! “£5 she doesn’t come!” he said, confidently. He is still £5 out of pocket and has never let him forget it!”
— emily

  • Tell us about your first date?

Jake took me fishing - one of his favourite hobbies. It was such a down to earth date and it was great because it gave us something to do without being so involved in an activity that we couldn’t talk. I arrived ten mins late due to wrong address and unbeknownst to me, Jake’s dad made a bet with him that I wouldn’t turn up! “£5 she doesn’t come!” he said, confidently. He is still £5 out of pocket and has never let him forget it! For me, I was a first time fisher. I had never experienced it before so had no idea what to expect or if I would enjoy it. Jake has somehow, over the years, managed to get me to love it as much as he does! We still fish together now. 

  • How did the proposal happen?

We went to Thailand for Christmas in 2022. We had just finished dinner at a lovely restaurant, right on the beach. The views were beautiful and I remember thinking that I had never felt so happy. We went for a walk along the beach and our favourite song was playing. I turned around and Jake was on one knee holding a ring box. I bawled, right there on the beach. It was perfect. 

“I wanted the tables to look as if I had gone into my garden, picked all of the old fashioned English roses and decorated as if I were setting a table for a beautiful rustic lunch”
— emily

THE WEDDING DRESS & THE BIG DAY

  • How did you choose your wedding venue and what made it the perfect fit?

We wanted to get married by water. We both love being outside and amongst nature and it just felt like the perfect idea given our first date and Jake’s love of fishing. Coverwood Lakes was such a find! It was truly special, a gem and was utterly perfect for us. Aside from hosting weddings, they also have national garden scheme open days and we visit every year. 

  • What was the inspiration behind your weddings theme, decor and colours?

I didn’t have a specific theme. The venue and the surroundings did it all for me - why mess with perfection! I wanted the tables to look as if I had gone into my garden, picked all of the old fashioned English roses and decorated as if I were setting a table for a beautiful rustic lunch. I wanted British, seasonal flowers which is why we decided to use the popular local farm shop for our table flowers.  

  • What were you looking for in a wedding dress?

I wanted something lightweight, stylish, feminine, beautiful and different all rolled into one. Thankfully, we were able to customise the dress that I loved - Caroline - and add beautiful lace flutter sleeves to the design, as I felt more confident with a little arm coverage. I absolutely loved my wedding dress and it was the first one I tried on at the Lush boutique. 

“My friend was so excited to tell me about this boutique and she was adamant that I’d find my wedding dress there. She was SO right and I can’t thank her enough for helping me find Lush. ”
— Emily

  • How did you choose the bridal boutiques you wanted to visit?

From recommendations and reviews first of all. Then, when I visited them, I knew which boutique I felt more comfortable and confident buying from. It’s not always just about the dress. It was so important to have a positive experience and trust that my visions were understood and my feelings considered. My friend found Lush Curve online and it was a God send because of the previous experience. My friend was so excited to tell me about this boutique and she was adamant that I’d find my wedding dress there. She was SO right and I can’t thank her enough for helping me find Lush. 

  • How many boutiques did you visit on your dress journey and how did you know you had found THE ONE?

I visited two. The first one I had visited unfortunately was an awful experience where I was left feeling really down about myself. Then, I visited Lush Curve and it was EVERYTHING. Hannah and Tania are genuine, full of joy and compliments and generally made me feel confident and beautiful in my own skin. No lip service, just total hype girls who confidently and professionally guided me through the dresses and celebrated my body, exactly the way it was.

  • What accessories did you choose and where did you buy them ?

My hair pins were from Lush as well as my gorgeous dress. My shoes were from Sézane and I felt really confident wearing a nice block heel. My earrings were my mum’s diamond studs - a very sentimental and emotional part of my final look, as she passed away several years ago.   

  • Did you enjoy wedding dress shopping, any especially good or not so good experiences?

At first, no I didn’t 😭 I detested it at first I had the worst experience and then we found Lush and I left feeling a million dollars. I loved the journey from start to finish. Hannah, the owner, feels like one of your bestie’s and makes the experience WONDERFUL. You even get offered their leopard print slippers when you’re in store. ICONIC 

  • How did you feel walking down the aisle in your dress and what did your partner think?

I felt simply amazing. It was so wonderful, I just can’t put it into words. When Jake saw me in the dress, he said “you look absolutely beautiful, absolutely stunning. Here’s my wife. Let the next chapter begin.”

ADVICE & REFLECTIONS

  • What was the most challenging part of the wedding planning process ?

I think for me was not having both my parents here to be a part of the wedding and the planning process as they had both passed away. They were both there in spirit - of that I’m sure. 

  • What advice would you give to other couples who are currently planning their wedding ?

Have what YOU want. It’s YOUR day ! Also, take some time for yourselves to be apart from it all. Everyone always says it but, it’s the best day of your lives! It’s so important to take a step back and watch it unfold before it totally passes you by. Invite who YOU want to invite and don’t stress about the small stuff or the politics. 

  • Is there anything you would have done differently about your wedding ?

We had quite a few issues with our DJ due to the location and them not being as prepared as we had thought. However other than that, we wouldn’t have changed anything. 

  • What was the best purchase you made for your wedding?

The venue was such a find. It’s such a beautiful, special place and I really think our wedding wouldn’t have been the same anywhere else. My dress was another best purchase, obviously! I couldn’t recommend Lush Curve and the team highly enough. They really do make you feel incredible. Such wonderful people and the enchanted woodland vives of the boutique is just ace! 

SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT

Hannah Mac Lennan