Dirk kissing Lindsey's head while posing on a wooden bridge outside

Mike and Katie met on a dating website at the beginning of December 2018. “Mike was the first and last person I spoke to on there!” says Katie. “We met in person two days later and I immediately felt like he was ‘The One’. It was just so easy and calm.”

Dirk posing with male friends or family

A New Year’s Eve proposal

Mike proposed after the couple had been together for just over three years. “It was a few moments past midnight on New Year’s Eve 2022,” says Katie. “We were away in a cosy cabin with our puppy Alfie. He got down on one knee and played me a video with all our favourite memories, then popped the question.”

Lindsey and Dirk's wedding gifts with a cowboy hat ontop

Shopping for the dress

“I discovered WED2B online while looking for a wedding supplier that didn’t require months of advance notice,” says Katie. “It was great to walk into the Birmingham store with my team of girls and try so many dresses on. Everyone could be involved, which made it super special.”

Lindsey posing with female friends or family

“I chose the Esther dress because it was so timeless and elegant,” says Katie. “It was also so comfortable to wear. I loved the attention to detail on the bodice and the long flowing Mikado skirt and train. I teamed it with the Willa veil, which matched perfectly.” For similar styles, take a look at Elton, Ffion and Kaiya.

Wedding venues London

The couple looked at wedding venues London and chose The Old Marylebone Town Hall in Westminster. “We decided we didn’t want to wait to get married and arranged our mini wedding within four months!” says Katie.

“The Old Marylebone Town Hall was perfect, so timeless and elegant. The stone-coloured exterior was also stunning on a sunny June day.”

Dirk embracing Lindsey from behind whilst posing infront of a doorway

The big day

“Mike, our parents and I travelled down to London the day before the wedding (amidst the train strikes!) and stayed at The Clermont Hotel, Victoria,” says Katie. “We got ready in separate rooms, me with my mum and Gemma the makeup artist. Then Dad met me and we walked together down the beautiful staircase of the hotel to travel to the venue. It was a gorgeous sunny day and, despite the travel issues, we made it on time.”

“Dad and I walked in to an instrumental version of ‘Halo’ by Beyonce. It was perfect. The most special moment was saying our vows. We both had tears in our eyes.”

Lindsey and Dirk posing outside with friends and family

Time to celebrate

“We walked outside after the ceremony to lots of car horns and passers-by congratulating us, which was so fun,” says Katie. “We got absolutely covered in confetti, then had lots of photo opportunities in and around the beautiful building.”

A stylish navy, grey and white theme

“We decided to have a mini wedding, so we didn’t have to think too much about decorations,” says Katie. “We wanted to keep things classic, so opted for a navy, grey and white colour theme. Mike wore a grey waistcoat under a navy suit and we had white peonies for my bouquet and table decorations.”

Dirk kissing Lindsey's head while posing on a wooden bridge outside

“We had a lovely meal at The Soak in The Clermont, where they looked after us so well,” says Katie. “Everyone had what they fancied from the menu followed by a piece of wedding cake. We chose a plain, white-iced cake with peonies on top. Our favours were scratch cards for the men and flower bulbs for the ladies. Mike is a keen gardener, so it seemed very fitting!”

LIndsey and Dirk embracing while posing for photos outside on a wooden bridge

Watching the sunset over Big Ben

“After our meal we got changed and went out to explore London on foot for the evening,” says Katie. “We stopped off at Buckingham Palace, St. James’s Park and Parliament Square, just as the sun was setting over Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. It was a beautiful end to the most special and memorable day.”

Dirk leaning against an archway with lindsey smiling behind him

The best bits…

“The most memorable moments were getting ready with Mum, and Dad seeing me for the first time in my dress,” says Katie. “Also, saying our vows and having so many strangers congratulate us and comment on how beautiful my dress was! And, finally, watching the sunset make everything in London look golden on the longest day of the year.”

Lindsey and Dirk walking hand in hand among the trees

My top tips…

“Do what feels right for you and your partner,” says Katie. “We decided to do things our own way and are so happy we did. We can still celebrate with family and friends and even do it all again if we want to! The most important thing to remember is that it’s about you both, not everyone else.”

Lindsey and Dirk sitting on a tree stump in the woods while kissing

Katie and Mike’s Dream Team

Photographer: Zak from ZL Weddings

Wedding venues London: The Old Marylebone Town Hall

Hotel: The Clermont Victoria

Dinner: The Soak Restaurant at The Clermont, Victoria

Makeup and hair: Spence and Oliver

Florist: Sayer and Galton

If you would like us to feature your big day, like this wedding venues London celebration, 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.