Real Weddings Bromley: Helen and Terry’s Greenwich wedding

Helen and Terry met while they were both stewarding at Wimbledon in 2018. “We had a couple of lunch dates together in the staff canteen but our first date was at a pub, a week after the tennis,” says Helen. “Terry showed me some magic tricks and we were really excited to meet out of work. I think we both knew we had found someone very special.”

A super sweet proposal

The couple got engaged in September 2021, after just over three years together. “Terry had been to see my dad after work, to ask for his permission. Then he planned to take me out later that week and propose. However, he was so excited and nervous after seeing my dad, that he came home and did it there and then with a Haribo sweetie ring!”

Shopping for the dress

A friend recommended WED2B to Helen. “I visited the Bromley store and I loved the fact that everything was so affordable,” she says.

“My first visit was on a Saturday and, despite it being very busy, the service was exceptional. Terry dropped us at the store and went next door to sit in a cafe until we had finished. He even bought the ladies at WED2B some chocolates, as they were so rushed off their feet! They were really grateful and remembered us each time we visited after that. The service was excellent and I was treated like I was the only person in the shop.”

Finding ‘The One’

“The dress I chose was Sian,” says Helen. “Although I didn’t choose it, my children did! It wasn’t a silhouette I was looking for. Initially I wanted a mermaid style, but the children found Sian and when I tried it on I knew immediately it was ‘The One’. The lace is absolutely beautiful and so unique. I loved the shape on me and the simplicity of the style. It suited our low-key day perfectly.” (For similar styles try James, Hendrix or Valdez)

A Greenwich wedding venue

The wedding was on the 18th February 2022, five months after the couple got engaged. “Terry lived just outside Greenwich when we met and we visited the area many times on dates, so we decided on a Greenwich wedding,” says Helen. “It’s still our favourite place to go. We booked the Greenwich Registry Office for the ceremony, as the Victoria Hall is spectacular. We also love the military history of the area, so for the wedding breakfast we chose the Guardhouse at the old Woolwich Arsenal (army buildings). Terry joined the army nearby when he was 17, so it has sentimental connections.”

The big day

Although it was a dry day the couple were unfortunately joined by Storm Eunice! “It was very windy but we weren’t going to let that spoil the day,” says Helen. “We live in Kent, so travelled to London the day before and had dinner with family and friends. We stayed in separate hotels and I got ready with my three children (age 12,14 and 23). Then we travelled to the registry office together.”

“My dad walked me down the aisle to ‘Songbird’ by Eva Cassidy, which was lovely,” says Helen. “The music was chosen by Terry as a surprise for me. I think the most special moment was walking in to see Terry stood waiting for me, with tears in his eyes, dressed in his uniform and wearing his medals. He’s such a wonderful man and I am unbelievably proud of him. He looked incredible.”

A guard of honour

“After a short ceremony, our friends and colleagues formed a firefighters’ guard of honour to see us out of the registry office,” says Helen. “Then we all walked a few hundred yards through Woolwich Market to the Royal Arsenal for photos and our wedding breakfast in the Old Guardhouse. We made the most of the old army buildings and had some beautiful photos, and some interesting ones thanks to the storm!”

Dancing the night away

“After a lovely lunch, speeches and relaxing, we headed over to Erith, where we had an evening reception with friends, family and colleagues in a pub owned by friends,” says Helen. “There was a buffet and cake and we danced the night away. Our first dance was to ‘The Joker and The Queen’ by Ed Sheeran. The words are beautiful and very appropriate, as Terry is a close-up magician. Everyone knows him for always having a deck of cards on him!”

The personal touch

“Nearly every decision about our day was a personal one,” says Helen.

“It was all about the little touches that made the day unique to us. We both work for the London Fire Brigade and are very proud to do so. So Terry wore his uniform and we had a guard of honour, too. I love arts and crafts, so I made most of the stationery. The colour theme was navy, as it’s so smart and matched the uniforms, but with purple and green touches as a nod to Wimbledon.” 

With a little help from our friends

“A close friend who runs a cake and floristry business arranged our flowers and made our cake,” says Helen. “We had a tiered stand with cupcakes in navy and white and a brilliant cake topper of a firefighter and a bride. Our photographer was another fire-fighter and the disco was also put on by a friend. The reception venue and the buffet were also organised by a firefighter and his wife, who own the pub. People really did rally together to help us have a great day, we were very lucky."

“One of the best memories was sitting at the wedding breakfast with 22 close family and friends and thinking what a perfect little day we had put together,” says Helen.

“We kept it simple, fuss free and affordable, and it couldn’t have been better. Of course, trying to get photos in a storm was pretty memorable too!”

My top tips…

“Keep it simple, personal and unfussy, and make sure all your decisions are from the heart,” says Helen. “It’s your day.”

Helen’s Dream Team

Photographer: Ty Milward

Greenwich Wedding Venues: Greenwich Registry Office and The Guard House Woolwich

Wedding Dresses Bromley: WED2B

Florist and Cake: Pick-a-Lilly Flowers and Cakes

Evening Venue: The Running Horses, Erith

Disco: Mega Mix Music

Makeup: Kelly Jenner

Hair: Mirror Mirror Salon

If you would like your big day to be one of our real weddings like this Greenwich wedding please click here to share your story and photos with us and we’ll be in touch. Or click here for more details about WED2B’s bridal shops Bromley