Emily and Lee first met 10 years ago. “We met at a beach we still go to today,” says Emily. “Now, we go with our little boy and our sausage dog!”

“I never wanted a big proposal, I just wanted family around me,” says Emily.

“My Nana has always been a huge part of my life, so Lee’s proposal was perfect. He asked me on a Friday night, while we were sat at my Nana’s with my family and my son. After waiting nine years to be asked, I screamed, cried and jumped around. It was perfect.”

Shopping for the dress

Emily visited WED2B’s Middlesbrough store. “It was the first shop we went to,” she says. “And I loved the very first dress I tried on. I picked Florian, as it was satin, corset style and, best of all, it also had pockets!” For similar styles take a closer look at Amalfi, Elton and Preston.

A tipi wedding venue

The couple married at Bradbury Glade in County Durham. “It’s a tipi wedding venue and had an outdoor theme, which is what we wanted,” says Emily.

“We had a gorgeous summer day for it and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. I always wanted this venue and I managed to book it and get married there within a year of the proposal. I did however have nine years to imagine the wedding in my head first!”

The big day

“I got ready at my mum’s house with my bridesmaids and the groomsmen got ready at our joint home,” says Emily. “It was the hottest day of the year so far. My dad walked me down the aisle to ‘Won’t Let You Go’ by James Morrison. We were both very emotional, even though we aren’t normally emotional people.”

“My uncle gave a reading called ‘Union’, which was very special. Other music included ‘Here Comes the Sun’ by the Beatles and ‘Home’ by Edith Whisker.”

"The two best moments were saying I do and then dancing with my son. When everyone else was outside, my eight-year-old son asked the DJ to put on his favourite song, ‘Star Man’ by David Bowie. He then asked me to dance and we had the most amazing three minutes, just us two, dancing and singing. I’m crying now whilst typing this!”

Garden games and more dancing...

“After the ceremony, we had garden games for the children, which the men enjoyed just as much, as well as a hog roast,” says Emily. “I had loads of people tell me it was the most relaxed wedding they’d ever attended and that’s exactly what I wanted.”

“Our first dance was to ‘Take Me Home’ by Jess Glynne. The words fit with how we got together and also remind us of long journeys to London in the car.”

Personal touches

“I made all the name settings,” says Emily. “My cousin is a wedding stylist, so she styled the venue and I got lots of input from her. My auntie made our cake, which was amazing, and my mum and dad bought my dress for me.”

The best bits…

“The most memorable moments were just me and my son dancing together, as well as dancing with my Nana later to her favourite song,” says Emily.

Emily and Lee’s Dream Team

Photographer: Nikki Paxton

Venue: Bradbury Glade

Wedding dresses Middlesbrough: WED2B

Florist: Melissa Jayne Floral

Stylist: Meraki Creative

Signs: Luxury Bespoke Events

Makeup: Laura Clara Makeup

Hair: CM Hair and Nails

If you would like us to feature your big day, like this lovely tipi 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.