Megan and Jonathan first met in 2014. “Jonathan was a customer in my mum’s cafe where I worked at the time,” says Megan. “I can’t actually pinpoint our first date, as we started out as friends and something more developed.”

Jonathan proposed at Chesterton Windmill, Warwickshire on 1st January 2023. "We had taken our dogs there for a walk, as it’s a special place for us and you can see for miles,” says Megan.

Shopping for the dress

Megan found her dream dress at wed2b’s Milton Keynes store. “The whole experience was so chilled out, despite it being busy,” she says. “The process was a lot easier than I had anticipated.”

Megan chose Henriette by Anna Sorrano, a beautiful off-the-shoulder fit and flare style. “I had my heart set on a fitted style of dress,” she says. “But, despite losing over two stone the year before, I was convinced it wasn’t going to suit my body type. Henriette was actually the first dress I tried on and I just fell in love with it. I felt so confident in it (which is unheard of with my clothes sometimes). I also bought a belt, which I got the seamstress to sew onto the dress, and a low back Wunderskirt."

A Forest of Dean wedding

The couple chose Clearwell Castle, Gloucestershire, for their Forest of Dean wedding on 25th March. "My mum got married there a couple of years ago,” says Megan. “Then I saw that they had late availability dates at heavily discounted prices. We went to have a look around and my husband loved it as much as I did. It's so elegant, yet understated, and set in the most beautiful area.”

The big day

“I got ready with my bridesmaids, mum, nan and auntie in the bridal cottage on site and then went to the honeymoon suite around 11am,” says Megan. “The weather was windy, with a touch of rain in the morning before the ceremony. Then it was dry for the rest of the day. My step dad walked me down the aisle. We had a song by Charlene Soraia as we walked in and then ‘Send Me On My Way’ by Rusted Roots as our exit track.”

Food, glorious food

After the ceremony there was confetti, group photos, canapés and welcome drinks. “Our wedding breakfast was a choice of tomato soup or tiger prawns for starter,” says Megan. “Main was spinach and mushroom pithivier or double Gloucester chicken with garlic mushroom croquette. Then desserts were either sticky toffee pudding or strawberry sable.”

Beautiful blues

The wedding colour scheme was a mix of lovely blues. “The bridesmaids wore navy blue dresses,” says Megan. “Flowers were a mixture of gysophilia, white roses and eucalyptus. We wanted our day to be quite budget friendly, so we made the hand-tied bouquets ourselves the night before the wedding and had so much fun doing it. "

"The table decorations were simple round mirrors, two tealights in holders and a vase with a single rose and eucalyptus. For the wedding cake, we had three cakes rather than tiering them."

"My mum and I made the cakes, and we had Victoria sandwich, lemon and a white chocolate and hazelnut. Later in the evening there was a DJ and a disco in the cellar bar of the venue.”

The best bits…

“There are too many memorable moments to choose from!” says Megan.

My top tips

“Use a crochet hook to do up fiddly buttons on dresses,” says Megan. “Also, get a pair of comfy shoes for the evening reception, you will be so grateful for them!”

Megan and Jonathan’s Dream Team 

Photographer: Carlos Azevedo Photography 

Forest of Dean wedding venue: Clearwell Castle

Wedding dresses Milton Keynes: wed2b

Hair and makeup: Lucie Richmond Hair and Makeup

Wholesale flowers: Triangle Nursery

Buttonholes: Jacqueline The Florist

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