Julie and Stuart first met about a decade ago at her big brother’s wedding. “My brother and Stuart are good friends,” says Julie. “As serendipity would have it, we then bumped into each other 18 months ago. Stuart is a boxing coach, so our first date was a one-on-one boxing lesson and then a walk with our dogs along the beach. We’ve been inseparable ever since! And, yes, my brother gave us his approval!”

Popping the question

“We'd only been together nine months when we went on our first holiday to Mexico,” says Julie. “So, I wasn't expecting the proposal in the slightest! We went for our morning walk along the beach before breakfast. When we got to the end of the beach, where it was at its prettiest, Stuart got down on one knee while there was no one around. I squealed in shock/happiness and jumped on him for a cuddle. It was 10th November 2021. We then celebrated around the beach all day. It was just a lovely day!”

Shopping for the dream dress

Julie visited WED2B’s Newcastle store. “My mam found the website by chance and we loved the dresses, so we decided to visit the Newcastle store,” she says. “The girl that served me was fantastic, down to earth and knew exactly what I was looking for. I chose Oakley for the simplicity and elegance of its timeless style. I loved the beautiful lace design down both sides of the dress.” (For similar styles try Rion, Fynn or Dion)

An elegant country hall wedding

The couple married at Aykley Heads Registry Office in Durham on 12th May 2022. “It’s a beautiful old yellow building with lots of personality,” says Julie. “We then went to Ramside Hall Hotel for our elegant country hall wedding reception and stayed the night in their stunning, modern Treehouse suites. We chose the two venues, as it was the perfect mix of traditional meets modern.”

The big day

“I got ready at Ramside Hall in one of the Treehouse suites,” says Julie. “It was stunning. I was with my two best friends, Jade and Kim, my mam and my mother-in-law to be. The weather was a beautiful spring day.”

“My 92-year-old grandad walked me down the aisle, and it was such a special memory,” says Julie. “We had three songs through the ceremony, ‘Songbird’ by Eva Cassidy, ‘Amazing’ by Teddy Swims and ‘I Love You I Do’ by Jennifer Hudson.”

“After the ceremony there were drinks on the lawn and our photographer got some lovely natural photos of us in and around the gardens and water feature.”

A real conversation starter

“Our place cards were caricature drawings of each guest,” says Julie. “We got an artist to draw them for us, and they went down an absolute storm. They were a huge talking point and a laugh! Everyone took them home to frame them.”

My favourite memories…

“One of the best moments was my 92-year-old grandad walking me down the aisle, it’s a memory I’ll cherish forever,” says Julie. “And Stuart’s speech!”

My top tips…

“Do what makes you happy,” says Julie. “And don’t forget it’s about a happy marriage, as well as a beautiful wedding day. Oh, and take flat shoes with you for later in the day!”

Julie and Stuart’s Dream Team

Photographer: Liam McCormick Photography

Venues: Aykley Heads Registry Office and Ramside Hall Hotel

Wedding dresses Newcastle: WED2B

Flowers: Wedding Flowers by Julie McDowell

Hairdressers: Reef Salons at Ramside Hall Spa

If you would like your big day to be one of our real weddings like this elegant country hall wedding, then please click here to share your story and photos with us and we’ll be in touch. Or click here for more details about WED2B’s bridal shops Newcastle