This unconventional couple did things their way at their stylishly quirky wedding reception Altrincham…

Kirsty and Aidan met over 11 years ago when they were both working part-time at a clothing store in their local shopping centre. “We started dating around six months later, although we kept it quiet from our colleagues at first,” says Kirsty. “Our first date was at an outdoor cinema in Manchester.”

A romantic beach proposal

Aidan proposed on the 2nd December 2022, while the couple were on holiday in Lanzarote. “He got down on one knee on the beach,” says Kirsty. “This was a nod to our first holiday together in Portugal, eight years earlier, where we witnessed a couple getting engaged on the beach. We heard some cheers from some Spanish people nearby, which was lovely. Neither of us wear jewellery. So, instead of a ring, Aidan gave me a diamond-encrusted watch. We're not the most traditional couple, so we knew we'd do things our way!”

Shopping for the dress

Kirsty found wed2b online. “I knew it was the right place for me, as I loved the idea of taking home my dress the same day,” she says. “The variety and value of the dresses available was also amazing. I went to the Manchester store with my mum, sister, bridesmaid and good friend. We loved the experience, as it was the first time any of us had been to a wedding dress shop. The assistants were also lovely.”

A surprise choice

“I was adamant that I wanted a lightweight dress, without sleeves or a train, because I wanted to ensure I was comfortable,” says Kirsty. “However, every dress like that I tried felt a bit too simple and not quite special enough. The lovely assistant brought out Rian, which has long sleeves and a scallop train and it was just too pretty not to try. Once I looked at myself in it I cried and knew instantly it was ‘The One’. It just shows you that you don't always know what you want! I also bought a bride hanger and a bag and box to transport the dress securely.”

A wedding reception Altrincham

The couple married at their local church on 30th March. “It has special significance to us,” says Kirsty. “Members of both our families have been married there, including my grandparents and Aidan's sister. There are also some of our ancestors buried in the graveyard there. It dates from the 1700s and has a picturesque Tudor-style pub next door, so we knew the photographs would have a lovely backdrop, too. For the wedding reception Altrincham, we chose Stock Farm Barn, close to Tatton Park. It was the third and last venue we viewed. We fell in love with the barn, which was permanently decorated with fairy lights, and the countryside setting.”

The big day

“I got ready at my mum's house with my sister and bridesmaid,” says Kirsty. “As the ceremony wasn't until 2pm, we didn't need to start getting ready until 10am, which kept the morning nice and relaxed. The sun was shining and continued to shine all day. It was easily the best weather we'd had so far that year, so we felt very blessed.”

“My mum walked me down the aisle to 'Waterloo Sunset' by the Kinks,” says Kirsty. “Then we had hymns played by an organist, who also played popular music, such as Elbow and the Beatles while we were signing the register and when we walked back down the aisle as husband and wife. Our niece, Eden, delivered a bible reading brilliantly. This was followed by our close friend, Becky, who read a short excerpt from Great Expectations. The same reading had also featured in the recent Netflix show One Day, so it was fresh in my mind when choosing the readings.”

Champagne, canapés and confetti 

After the confetti throw outside the church, which the newlywed’s dog, Baxter, was able to join in on, everyone made their way to the reception venue. “We had glasses of bubbly and canapés, such as hoisin duck tarts,” says Kirsty. “For the meal, we served pies for our wedding breakfast, which were followed by sticky toffee pudding or lemon tart.”

Beautiful burnt oranges

"I didn't want fresh flowers, as I wanted them to last,” says Kirsty. “I also prefer the look of dried flowers, as it gives a more rustic, boho feel. Our venue dresser made the bouquets and the buttonholes, so everything matched, and there was a mix of artificial and dried flowers and foliage, including pampas grass. The colour scheme was creams, peaches and burnt orange with sage bridesmaids dresses to complement. The signage was frosted with gold lettering and we had a big neon sign behind our sweethearts table.”

“Our wedding cake was two giant caterpillar cakes and I bought some cute 'top hat' and 'tiara' cake-toppers,” says Kirsty. “Everyone loved the quirkiness of these and it's a bonus that they tasted great and we saved a bit of money.” “For the evening, we hired a local wedding band called Late Last Night, that we found at a wedding fair,” says Kirsty. “They kept the party going all night and we loved their rendition of our first dance song, which was 'All You're Dreaming Of' by Liam Gallagher. They also performed DJ sets when not playing.”

The best bits…

“I think the ceremony itself, where we made our vows to each other, was the most memorable part for me,” says Kirsty. “I had been anxious about being too nervous or overcome with emotion but from the moment I saw my now-husband I couldn't stop smiling and simply enjoyed every second.”

My top tips…

“Make sure that your day reflects you as a couple and don't do anything just because it's traditional,” says Kirsty. “So many of our guests commented that the day had our personalities stamped all over it. Additionally, don't worry if you don't manage to speak to every single guest for an extended period of time. Most loved ones are there to see you having the best day of your lives and will understand.”

Kirsty and Aiden’s Dream Team 

Photographer: Vanessa Bryson

Wedding reception Altrincham: Stock Farm Barn

Wedding dresses Manchester: wed2b

Decor: Oh So Boho

Catering: Fork and Field

Band: Late Last Night

Hair and Makeup: Danielle Horan Hair and Makeup

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