An evening do decorated with sparkling trees was the perfect reception for this happy couple. Our WED2B Real Wedding Essex feature reveals more:

Amy and Ryan were introduced by their best friends, who had been hinting for a while that they should meet. “We texted for a few days before Ryan asked me out for a drink,” says Amy. “I said ‘Yes’ and the rest is history!”

AS Allegra - Real Wedding Essex: Amy and Ryan’s twilight wedding

The proposal...

Ryan proposed at a lovely spa hotel in Kent, when the couple were celebrating their third anniversary. “We went for a walk around the grounds in the sunshine and as we were walking through a pretty walled garden Ryan got down on one knee,” says Amy. “I was so surprised that I ended up crying and down on the floor with him!”

AS Allegra - Real Wedding Essex: Amy and Ryan’s twilight wedding

Finding the dress

Amy eventually chose the very first dress she tried on in WED2B’s Chelmsford store. “It was Allegra by Anna Soranno,” she says. “I wanted a sleek silhouette so the figure-hugging mermaid style was perfect. I loved how it fitted from the moment I put it on.”

After trying on four or five others Amy was certain that this was The One. “It was great having so many different style dresses available in my size, rather than just a sample size, as it helped me get a much better feel for them. I eventually put the Allegra back on with a veil, which sealed the deal and really made me feel like a bride.”

AS Allegra - Real Wedding Essex: Amy and Ryan’s twilight wedding

An evening extravaganza

The wedding venue was Newland Hall, in Essex. “We didn’t want a huge wedding so loved the intimate and beautiful setting,” says Amy. “It also offered a ‘Twilight Wedding’ with a late ceremony at 5pm before an evening reception.  This was exactly what we were looking for, as we wanted a relaxed day without a big sit down meal.”

AS Allegra - Real Wedding Essex: Amy and Ryan’s twilight wedding

Newland Hall's Henry VIII room was the setting for the ceremony. Amy’s Dad walked her down the aisle to Ellie Goulding’s ‘How Long Will I Love You’ and both of the couple's mums gave a reading. Afterwards, there was a drinks reception in the garden, before speeches and a hot buffet in the marquee.

AS Allegra - Real Wedding Essex: Amy and Ryan’s twilight wedding

The colour scheme was lavender and grey and Amy made many of the decorations herself. Centrepieces were silver trees draped with Swarovski crystal buttons and there was also a sweetie cart with bags personalised with the couples’ names and a poem. A friend made the delicious four-tier wedding cake, which included vanilla and chocolate sponge. “Unfortunately we were both so busy enjoying ourselves we never actually got to eat any!” says Amy.

AS Allegra - Real Wedding Essex: Amy and Ryan’s twilight wedding

Did your wedding have the wow factor? If you would like to be a part of our real weddings feature click here to enter your details and we’ll be in touch!