The Love Story

How and where did you first meet?

If I’m honest, our love story isn’t a conventional one. It’s not the kind that begins with fireworks or fairytales, but rather with survival, courage, and the slow rediscovery of love — real love. Before Jeremy, I was married. It was a difficult, controlling, and unhappy marriage — one that left me feeling small and unseen. In October 2008, I became a mum to my beautiful daughter, and just a few months later, in February 2009, my world shifted again when my mum was diagnosed with cancer.

So there I was: a new mum, caring for my mum through her illness, and managing the family business — all while my husband, who worked there too, was battling his own demons. He was drinking heavily and unfaithful, but at the time, I simply didn’t have the capacity to deal with him. My focus was on my mum and my daughter.

When my mum passed away in December 2010, I fell apart. Not immediately — grief doesn’t always hit you straight away — but in the months that followed, I broke. After major surgery and a long period of exhaustion, I eventually began to rebuild myself. From the summer of 2011 to 2012, I found strength I didn’t know I had. Then, one day in August 2012, I had an epiphany: I was done. Done with the pain, done with pretending. It was time to start again.

“our love story isn’t a typical one. It’s messy, real, imperfect — but it’s ours. And maybe that’s what makes it so beautiful.”

That’s when I met Jeremy — online, of all places. From the very beginning, he knew everything. He knew my situation, my baggage, my walls. But he never pushed, never judged. He was patient, kind, and exactly what I needed. I told myself (and him!) that I didn’t want anything serious. And for a while, that was true….

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

Fast forward two years.

I was on a little getaway in beautiful Majorca with my dad and daughter — just a few peaceful days away. One evening, sitting on a worn sofa in an old stone finca, I looked out over the golden hills and realised something huge: I loved Jeremy. The feeling hit me like sunlight breaking through clouds. I remember grabbing my phone, heart racing, and texting him right then and there. That was the true beginning of us.

That same year, I finalised my divorce — and celebrated with a party! It felt like the closing of one chapter and the joyful, hopeful start of another. So no, our love story isn’t a typical one. It’s messy, real, imperfect — but it’s ours. And maybe that’s what makes it so beautiful. ❤️

What were your first impressions of each other?

I remember the first time I truly noticed Jeremy’s eyes — how beautiful they were. There’s something about them that completely draws me in. When I look into his eyes, it feels like I can see right into his soul. They have this quiet depth, a gentleness that makes me feel safe and understood. I’ve always believed that the eyes are the window to the soul, and with Jeremy, that couldn’t be more true. (Though I can’t really speak for Jeremy on that one! 😂)

“Antwerp, as in the diamond capital of the world?! My heart skipped a beat. I had a feeling something special was about to happen.”

— Quote Source

Tell us about your first date.

It’s funny — I can’t actually remember our very first date. But maybe that’s because, over the years, we’ve shared so many special moments that the beginning has blurred into the beautiful story we’ve built together. From magical Disney holidays filled with laughter and childlike wonder, to simple weekends away camping at our family beach hut on the Dorset coast — every memory holds a piece of us. We’ve collected countless little moments along the way: the kind that don’t need grand gestures or perfect plans, just love, laughter, and being together as a family.

How did the proposal happen? Who asked, and where?

One of my favourite memories together was a trip to Belgium for my father’s partner’s milestone birthday. We’d planned a big celebration, so we decided to make a long weekend of it and drove over on the Thursday. That first night, while out for dinner, it was suddenly announced that Jeremy and I would be heading to Antwerp the next day. I remember blinking in surprise — Antwerp, as in the diamond capital of the world?! My heart skipped a beat. I had a feeling something special was about to happen. The next morning, we caught the train into the city and as we stepped off, we found ourselves right in the middle of the famous Diamond Quarter. Street after street shimmered with sparkle and possibility. We wandered in and out of the jewellers’ security doors, each one revealing trays of glittering diamonds, each more dazzling than the last. I was completely overwhelmed and then, Jeremy turned to me and said, “There’s no budget… just choose what you like.” I couldn’t believe it! Of course, he knows me well enough to know I wouldn’t go wild - but it was such a sweet, generous moment. In the end, we designed the perfect ring together — combining two styles and choosing the centre diamond ourselves. It was exactly what I wanted, full of meaning and memory. That day in Antwerp will forever be one of my favourite chapters in our love story — a day filled with joy, laughter, and a sparkle that still hasn’t faded.

The Wedding Dress & The Big Day

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

After Jeremy’s “official” proposal in Spain — during a wonderfully relaxed family holiday — we couldn’t wait to start planning our big day. I’d waited over a decade for that moment, so I told him (half-jokingly… but also not!) that I wanted to be married before I turned fifty!

We began with the guest list and then dove into the search for the perfect venue. My goal was simple: to find somewhere beautiful that also gave us real value for money. After visiting half a dozen locations, Jeremy fell in love with Audleys Wood Hotel. Our wedding co-ordinator Garry was an absolute dream to work with — nothing was ever too much trouble. He never once said “no,” even when I asked (only half seriously!) if it might be possible to have live goats attend our wedding. To my surprise, Garry didn’t even blink! He gasped, grinned, and said, “Yes, of course!” before recommending a local farm. And so, the goats came — and they were the talk of the hotel afterward! Honestly, one of the best and most memorable decisions I’ve ever made.

“ An internet search for plus-size bridal boutiques. It was as simple as that although ironically, it wasn’t easy to find many that gave me the feels I was looking for! ”

What was the inspiration behind your wedding's theme, decor, and colours?

We had a “Sound of Music” themed wedding — and it was exactly as joyful, quirky, and magical as we’d dreamed. Our centrepieces were adorned with copper kettles, fluffy goats, mini guitars, and warm woollen mittens — all accessories I lovingly crafted myself in true DIY fashion. Every little detail carried meaning and a touch of our personalities. The tables were named after the musical notes — Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La, Ti, and back to Do — while Jeremy and I had our own special table named ‘Captain and Maria’. The fluffy goats weren’t just cute — they were named after the Von Trapp children, bringing the story to life in miniature form. I even made every favour and wrapped them as “brown packages tied up with string”.

The ceremony itself was unforgettable. The flower girls and bridesmaids walked down to ‘My Favourite Things’, and then the “flower dudes” followed, tossing petals over our laughing guests to the tune of ‘How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria’? The icing on the cake was my brother’s surprise — after asking my permission, he arrived outside the ceremony room in full habits, crosses, oh and Kilts! My reaction? “HELL YES!” It was spectacular, hilarious, and completely in the spirit of our day!

What were you looking for in a wedding dress?

I was initially thinking more poofy and flower appliques……..How wrong I was! I remember calling Hannah, my stylist and the boutique owner, a witch! She listened to what I thought I wanted, humoured my choices, until gently asking and encouraging to try on something I would never have even considered. Well, the rest as they say, is history!

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

An internet search for plus-size bridal boutiques. It was as simple as that although ironically, it wasn’t easy to find many that gave me the feels I was looking for!

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

Only one prior to the AMAZING Lush Curve!

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

The accessories were the easy part. By the time I found my dress, I trusted Hannah completely. The moment I stepped into the gown, I already felt like a bride — but when you gently placed the veil (I regretted not wearing one at my first wedding) and added that delicate belt to the classic simplicity of the Peony dress, it all came together. That was it — the moment I knew. It wasn’t just about a dress; it was about everything it represented — strength, renewal, and joy. The veil, the belt, the dress… all of it felt like me. It was simple, elegant, and filled with meaning.

Did you enjoy dress shopping? Any especially good or not-so-good experiences?

Before discovering Lush Curve Bridal, I went to just one other bridal boutique — and it was a truly horrible experience. I gathered all my bridesmaids, excited to share the moment, only to be stuffed into dresses I didn’t even want to try. I was made to step out in front of everyone, feeling completely exposed and humiliated. There was no encouragement, just an attempted hard sell. Although the boutique advertised plus sizes, in reality, they had maybe four dresses — hardly enough to feel like I had a choice.

They asked for my opinion and my style beforehand but it felt meaningless. Nothing about the experience made me feel seen or celebrated. Then came you, Hannah. And wow… what a difference. As I stepped into the stunning Lush boutique, I didn’t realise how much baggage I was carrying. Years of body image struggles, silent fears, and the quiet weight of feeling unseen suddenly came flooding out when you got me to try on that curve ball of a dress…and I cried. Not from sadness, but from relief, from finally feeling truly looked at, listened to, and celebrated and I felt and looked stunning!!!!!! Your guidance, patience, and understanding turned what could have been a stressful, painful experience into a moment of pure joy. You didn’t just help me find the dress — you helped me reclaim confidence, joy, and a sense of self. You are, quite honestly, a miracle worker.

“Be authentically and unapologetically yourselves. If the people who love you want to share your day with you, then they will and do not worry about those who don’t step up or show up! ”

How did you feel walking down the aisle in your dress, and what did Jeremy think?

I felt stunning, confident, and beautiful. I know those might sound like buzzwords but they truly capture how I felt in that moment - completely myself and utterly radiant. Jeremy had been told not to look until the very last second and when he finally did, his first words to me were, “You’re stunning.” I melted. Later, when I asked what he thought of the whole look, the only comment he could manage was, “The train was longer than I expected…” 😂 Classic Jeremy. It made me laugh but in that moment, all I could feel was love, pride and happiness that we were finally here and ready to begin this next chapter together.

Advice and Reflection

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

ALL THE DIY! Don’t get me wrong, I loved doing it and with my “arty” background I was in my element. However my breaking point was doing personalised resin coasters for each guest as a wedding favour. That was not easy!

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

Be authentically and unapologetically yourselves. If the people who love you want to share your day with you, then they will and do not worry about those who don’t step up or show up!