If you’re planning a beach elope wedding then you’ll love this happy couple’s romantic day…

Ben and Abbey met when they were teenagers. “He was a friend of a friend,” says Abbey. “And I will openly admit I pursued him, trying to get his mobile number so I could text him! After meeting around our local town a few times we started dating. That was 11 years ago, and 27-year-old me is so glad that 16-year-old me had the confidence to ask for his number.”

A lockdown proposal

The couple got engaged on 18th April 2020, during the first Covid lockdown. “It was in our living room, and it was truly perfect,” says Abbey. “I struggled during the lockdown with the death of family members, and Ben could see that. One night, to pull me out my slump, he said let's get dressed up and have a date night!"

"So, we got dressed up and then had our weekly family quiz night over Zoom. That's when he proposed, in front of all my family. It turned out Ben had the ring ready for a while and he had already spoken to my mum about proposing to me. He just felt that moment, right then, was perfect. I wouldn't change a thing.”

Shopping for the dress

“The first dress I ever screenshotted, after getting engaged, was a wed2b dress,” says Abbey. “I knew I wanted to try it on. My three best friends and I went to the store in Central London and had the best afternoon. I tried on five dresses and the whole experience was so relaxed and easy. The staff joined in with some laughs with us, and I just felt truly looked after.”

Abbey chose Baxter by Heidi Hudson, a stretch lace sheath. “It was 'The One' and I had my heart set on it before even trying it on,” she says. “I knew it would be perfect. As soon as I tried it on I burst into tears, as I just felt beautiful. It hugged me in all the right places. I wanted something light, lace and figure hugging for our beach elope wedding. And that was everything that Baxter was.”

A romantic beach elope wedding 

The couple married on the 12th April at Turtle Beach in Barbados. “It was just the two of us,” says Abbey. "Our dream was always to go away to marry. The beach location had amazing white sand, a blue sky and the most gorgeous ocean. The setting was relaxed, intimate and truly just perfect.”

The big day

“I got ready on my own and did my own hair and makeup,” says Abbey. “I had both my mum and my best friend Lucy on video calls, giving me words of encouragement. It was a beautiful sunny day, 30℃. I walked myself down the aisle while Bob Marley’s ‘One Love’ was played on steel drums.”

A refreshing dip…

“After the ceremony we had a two-hour photography session,” says Abbey. “Then we took our shoes off and jumped in the sea! The pictures were perfect and I got the dress dry cleaned before we flew home. So, no problem! After changing out of our wet clothes, we had a private butler service dinner on the beach for just us two. We were surrounded by candles and Caribbean music was being performed live in the distance. It was the most magical evening.”

“Our wedding cake was a coconut cake, which was delicious,” says Abbey. “The same steel drum band that played through our ceremony also played our first dance, ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ by Elvis.”

The best bits

“The most memorable moment of the whole day was walking myself down to the beach, with the steel drums playing,” says Abbey. “Then seeing Ben standing at the alter for the first time. It’s a feeling I will never forget.”

My top tips…

“Just relax!” says Abbey. “Take the day in, do what's best for you and focus on you and your partner’s happiness.”

Abbey and Ben’s Dream Team

Photographer: Gina Francesca Photography

Venue: Turtle Beach by Elegance Hotels

If you would like us to feature your big day, like this beach elope wedding, then please click here to share your story and photos with us and we’ll be in touch. Your nearest WED2B is closer than you think, click here for your nearest store and here for what to expect when you visit.