Kirstie & Chris' Autumnal 'Tinder Romance' Wedding at Syrencot, Berkshire
THE LOVE STORY
How and where did you first meet?
Chris and I met on Tinder, how romantic! After a short while of talking online, Chris asked me on a first date.
What were your first impressions of each other?
Chris and I were not each other’s type; Chris is a cricketer, did not have the best dress sense (he has never worn the outfit again that he wore on our first date) and he was not naturally funny, but we had the best time together! I thought Chris was just so handsome, so kind.
I was also not Chris’s type! I will always remember him telling me that he was shocked at how low my voice was when we first spoke on the phone - cheers for that! But they are right in saying, opposites attract. We had an instant attraction to one another and left the date feeling like giggly, school children.
“ I knew I loved Chris from quite early on but my stubborness was not going to say it first”
When did you know you were in love or that Chris was "the one"?
I was a very different person now to when I first met Chris. He has truly made me into the best version of myself. When we were in the infancy of our relationship, I lacked confidence and yet had a desire to be wanted. I knew I loved Chris from quite early on but my stubborness was not going to say it first - until I drunkenly did, ironically, at a wedding. Chris is the ying to my yang or more the air to my fire. I am a true red head and he brings so much calmness. I just knew he was my one.
Tell us about your first date!
We went into Reading for our first date. It was a Sunday and we did some bar hopping. I could not tell you how many cocktails we drank between us! We had so much fun! Lots of laughing, chatting and smooching. We ended up going for dinner which originally was not the plan but it did help by sobering us up a little! We had such a good time that we had our second date the same week.
““So I’ve been thinking, I don’t want you to move out, will you marry me?””
How did the proposal happen? Who asked, and where?
Chris had told me that 2021 was the year of the proposal which was 6 years of us being together. I am someone who likes people to stick to their word, so I told him if it were not to happen that year, then I would be moving out (the plan was to go to my mums, but she told me that I was not allowed).
Chris had originally planned to propose in the October whilst we were going away with our friends to the Lake District. They had a big plan that he would propose at the top of a hill, which we would have hiked up and our friends would have had the champagne at the ready. Sadly, the week before we were due to leave, our friend was diagnosed with cancer and they had to operate straight away (he is all okay now!) Looking back, it makes sense why our friends at the time were so devastated that the trip was not going ahead.
Chris then booked for us to stay at Fox Hills in Surrey. It was a well needed break after a difficult time at work and it was lovely. The 19th of Dcember 2021. We had been enjoying the facilities of the hotel and were sitting in an empty bar by the fire, when Chris popped the question!
It was so lovely! Although I have never let Chris forget what he said: “So I’ve been thinking, I don’t want you to move out, will you marry me?” Chris says that he will repropose one day!
THE BIG DAY
How did you choose your wedding venue and what made it the perfect fit?
We had viewed a couple of venues and nothing had given us exactly what we were looking for. Chris and I love food and drink, so we definitely wanted a venue that could deliver! We also wanted somewhere with beautiful aesthetics and the option for some of our guests to stay overnight. Syrencot was so beautiful! We absolutely loved the glasshouse for the ceremony and the grounds were glorious! The accommodation was also beautiful and what really drew us in on the aesthetics front, were the green tiles on the bar area of the cowshed. The staff were also super friendly and we just loved everything about it!
What was the inspiration behind your wedding's theme, decor, and colours?
As a ginger girl, I have always loved green! If you know, you know! So I wanted green to be part of the colour scheme. Initially we thought about Chris and his groomsmen having green suits, along with the girls having green bridesmaids’ dresses, but we couldn’t make it work. Then we thought, tweed! However Chris found a suit which he looked so lovely in and we went with that.
In terms of the décor, we weren’t too precious. We wanted the focus of our wedding to be fun, food and laughter! We wanted our guests to have a great time and leave feeling well fed and watered. One of my best friend’s sisters Emma, was really into floristry. At the time, she was not an actual florist but she had supplied my friend’s wedding a few months before ours and I put my full trust in her! She delivered! Initially we wanted neutral flowers. We love dahlias so knew we wanted those to feature but overall we let Emma have free reign in the floral department. Emma suggested an orange Dahlia as the highlight. We went with it and I’m so glad we did. Given that we are a ginger family, we thought it was very fitting and looking back, I think the colours all blend so beautifully and pop against my dress. Chris has now grown orange Dahlias in our garden.
THE WEDDING DRESS
What were you looking for in a wedding dress?
I wanted something that was absolutely, unapologetically, ‘me’! Being a bigger girl, I have never been super comfortable with my arms, so I knew I wanted a sleeve. I was completly open minded though and wasn’t set on a specific ‘look’.
I knew I didn’t want too much boob on show, as for me I feel that makes me look bigger, but also I knew Chris would enjoy a little boob (well if he had the choice, probably a lot of boob), so also wanted to consider this! I was relatively open minded about the dress, hoping that when I tried THE dress on, I would know - and I did!
How did you choose the bridal boutiques you wanted to visit?
This was a minefield and something I had really got in my own head about. Initially, I booked a specific boutique as a friend of a friend once owned it. We had a discussion about what I liked after I tried some dresses on. They suggested a boutique closer to home which stocked designers with this kind of style. After no success at either I felt very deflated and started to lose my confidence. Chris googled ‘plus size bridal boutiques’ and that’s when we found ‘Lush Curve’.
“being an unconfident plus size girl, Lush Curve was the bridal boutique for me. I was made to feel like a Q.U.E.EN ”
How many boutiques did you visit on your dress journey and how did you know you had found THE ONE?
We visited three boutiques althgouh the first two did not compare to Lush Curve. Although I have no doubt the other boutiques were able to offer other women a wonderful experience, being an unconfident plus size girl, Lush Curve was the bridal boutique for me. I was made to feel like a Q.U.E.EN - like every girl deserves to on their journey to finding a wedding dress.
I took my mum and sister with me to my appointments and I had not seen my mums face light up like it did when I stepped out in THE dress. My mum is not a very emotive person, so when she was nearly crying I just knew it was THE ONE. When I first saw myself in the dress it made me emotional - it was just stunning. It was elegant, not too fussy, had beautiful sleeves, little pearl detailing and showed a bit of boob for my husband to be - perfection!
What accessories did you choose and where did you buy them?
I was quite minimal with my accessories. I wore earrings and hair slides both of which were from Etsy. I bought my shoes from ASOS. They were a small white pointed kitten heel as there isn’t a significant amount of height difference between Chris and I. I always thought I would have an extravagant pair of heels, but the ones I got were perfect for what I needed although I didn’t love them.
Did you enjoy dress shopping? Any especially good or not so good experiences?
Honestly, I didn’t enjoy dress shopping until I went to Lush Curve. I wish I could keep going back and trying on more dresses as I still follow their journey on social media! As I have said, I’m not a huge fan of my arms and in the first shop I was not able to try on anything with a sleeve. I did not fit into the dresses and the owner held the dresses on me so I came away from the appointment feeling really down and worried, that I would not find a dress. The second shop was a more positive experience but I still did not feel fully comfortable.
I had the best time at Lush Curve. The girls were so welcoming and there was no pressure! It was cosey, fun and just so enjoyable. They have a fun curtain reveal when you are stood on the podium which is camp and playful and I loved it! The advice provided and all of the custom changes you can make to your dress were also just fabulous. I could not have asked for anything more from my experience.
How did you feel walking down the aisle in your dress and what did your partner think?
Chris LOVED my dress! I felt really fantastic walking down the aisle with my mum. I felt confident and knew that I would not have to be adjusting my dress all day as it fit really well. Chris said he was surprised at my dress, although on reflection, he thinks it was absolutely ‘me’ and very well suited. (He loved the glimpse of boob too - win!)
ADVICE AND REFLECTIONS
What was the most challenging part of the wedding planning process?
I really enjoyed the wedding planning process. I think because we booked our venue at the beginning of 2022 and got married in October 2024, so it wasn’t rushed. We had time to plan everything and it felt relaxed. I enjoyed finding our vendors, choosing our menu and planning the final details with everyone on the lead up to the wedding day. I think what was the most challenging is trying to let go of the uncontrollable. Last minute drop outs and worrying about the weather threw me for a loop but otherwise I truly enjoyed the process. In the end, we were blessed with the weather on our wedding day! It was a perfect, sunny autumnal day, despite the rest of the week being windy and rainy. It is also hard to not think about other’s when planning your day, as although you want your loved ones to have the best day, ultimately the wedding day is about you and your partner.
What advice would you give to other couples who are currently planning their wedding?
ENJOY IT! Although planning a wedding can be really stressful and there are so many things you need to consider - remember you only do it once (hopefully!). Try and enjoy every single moment! You and your partner may not agree on absolutely everything and even when you do not think things are perfect, you will not likely care on the day and your guests will not notice if something doesn’t go to plan.
Is there anything you would have done differently about your wedding?
Chris and I reflect on our wedding a lot and to be honest, there is not a lot we would change. Chris and his groomsmen helped with the setting up in the morning. If we were to do it all again, we would likely hire someone to have done this without the boys’ help. The only thing I would have personally done differently was that period after the ceremony. I spent the drinks reception making sure I went around to all of our guests, as I wanted them to know I was grateful for them coming. However, we had a fantastic singer for our ceremony and drinks reception and I wish I had more time enjoying her and dancing. So I think it goes back to the point I made before - your wedding day is about you, so do what YOU want to do.
What was the best purchase you made for your wedding?
Ooo this is a tricky one! I am actually not sure I can answer this. We were blessed with fantastic vendors throughout the process. I am so glad we had a videographer and a second photographer as this really allowed us the opportunity to relive the day and see moments that we missed. I am also really pleased that we booked a singer for our ceremony and a band for the evening - music just brings people together and they were both a hit! A real hit with our guests were the crisps (I LOVE crisps, so they had to feature) and pick’n’mix station. It meant that people could help themselves in between the planned food or even take home a midnight snack.
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Venue - Syrencot
Photographer – Becky Wright Photography
Videographer – Pristine Videography
Hair Stylist & Makeup Artist – Jess Short Hair and Makeup
Florist – Vendela Rose Floral Design
Cake Maker – Marks & Spencers
DJ/Band – Lula Weddings & Foxland Band UK
Ring Designer/Shop – London Diamonds Official
Stationery – My friend Maddie!
Other Suppliers – The Lawn Game Company