A 17th century castle wedding venue was the perfect backdrop for these childhood sweethearts…

Kirsty and Carl first met when they were 15. “We were both young and out with friends,” says Kirsty. “We had seen each other before and finally started talking and getting to know each other. Our first date was a meal at my mum’s house!”

A proposal with a view

Carl proposed in December 2021. “He took me out for a date night in Bristol,” says Kirsty. “We went to Millennium Square and rode on the Ferris wheel (he hates heights, I don’t). Then we got a hotdog and had a walk around the waterfront. Later, we went to Clifton and walked over the suspension bridge then back to by the observatory, where we sat and looked out over the bridge and the perfect view. I turned around and when I turned back Carl was down on one knee with a ring in his hand. I said yes so fast, because after 18 years together we were finally going to be married!”

Shopping for the dress

Kirsty found wed2b online, then visited her local store in Bristol. “I went with my mum, two sisters and friend to look, but I’d actually already been a week before," she says. "I wanted to try some dresses by myself, as I wasn’t too confident. At the second visit, each person picked a dress for me to try and I picked two myself. My lovely assistant, Kim, was there to help me. I felt so comfortable with her, as I knew her from where I lived. I loved that we were treated so specially and the advice we got was spot on.”

Kirsty chose Kelsey, a lace mermaid with a striking illusion back by Viva Bride. “From the moment I put it on my smile was so big and I was so happy with it,” she says. “It hugged my figure (that I don’t usually show) in all the right places and I knew straight away it was ‘The One’. I also bought a veil and hair clip from wed2b, as it all finished my dress and look perfectly.”

A castle wedding venue

The couple chose Walton Castle as their venue. “We both looked at places we liked, then came together with our lists,” says Kirsty. “Walton Castle was on both lists and when we went to look at it we knew it was the place for us. With its beautiful scenery and stunning grounds there was no other choice. So, we booked it for the 10th February.”

The big day

“It had rained all week before the wedding and then, on Saturday, we woke up to no rain and just a few clouds,” says Kirsty. “I got ready in the castle’s main turret with my friend and sisters, then my mum joined later. By the time I walked down the aisle with my dad, the weather had cleared even more and the sun was shining bright. We walked in to ‘Your Song’ by Elton John, played by the Bristol String Quartet.”

“Canapés were served after the ceremony, while we went for photos and a walk around to greet everyone,” says Kirsty. “For the wedding breakfast there was a choice of two different three-course-meals. Either, Mediterranean soup, gammon and cherry cheesecake or potato skins, beef and potato pie and trifle. We didn’t have a first dance or song but set up a disco and danced with all our guests instead.”

Mellow whites and yellows

“I wanted the look to feel calm, beautiful and natural,” says Kirsty. “My main decorations were my flowers, which were a mix of whites and yellows and our tables were set with candles and flowers. Our wedding cake was a semi-naked, two-tier cake with lemon and strawberry fillings. We also had a photo booth and we had so many good pictures and key rings from them. They even did a guest book for us.”

The best bits…

“The most memorable moment of the whole day was saying and listening to my vows and ‘I dos’ to my now husband,” says Kirsty. “Carl was so confident and certain and it made me so happy. Also, the happiness of all our guests during our ceremony was beautiful."

My top tips…

“Plan, plan, plan and know what you want,” says Kirsty. “But also relax and enjoy the day. You’ll spend it going here and there talking to everyone, so take it all in and love the moment."

Kirsty and Carl’s Dream Team 

Photographer: Andrew Miller Photography

Castle wedding venue: Walton Castle 

Wedding dresses Bristol: wed2b

Florist: Daisy Lane Floral

Cake: Occasion Cakes 

Photo Booth: Hot Shots Entertainment

Music: Bristol String Quartet

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