Your wedding day should be all about you, so when Ellis and Bradley got married they made sure their day included everything they loved, including delicious Turkish food! Our WED2B Real Weddings feature reveals more:

Bonding over food...

Ellis and Bradley had a friend in common and exchanged a few texts before they happened to be at the same club one night in December 2012. “We hadn’t been able to find each other in the club, so thought it wasn’t meant to be,” says Ellis. “I was leaving when I spotted Bradley by a burger van. As I went over to say hello and order something, I realised I had no money left. Bradley had just bought a double cheeseburger with extra cheese, sauce, bacon and onions. It looked beautiful, and I guess he looked all right too! When I asked for a bite, he agreed and, well, I’ve never tasted anything so good! I couldn’t stop myself from eating it all. In return, he said I owed him a date the next night. I obviously agreed, and we’ve been inseparable ever since.”

Real Weddings Chelmsford: Drinking, dancing and delicious Turkish food - Serena

The big question

The couple had their first big holiday away together in August 2015. “It was Bradley’s birthday while we were away, so I’d booked us a candle-lit dinner cruise,” says Ellis. “We enjoyed steak, lobster and rum punches in front of a beautiful sunset. It was such a romantic setting.”

Real Weddings Chelmsford: Drinking, dancing and delicious Turkish food - Serena

A slight misunderstanding…

“We got talking to a couple next to us, who were on their honeymoon. Then Bradley asked me to dance but I needed the toilet first,” says Ellis. “When I got back, we started dancing and Bradley asked the honeymooners to take a photo. I stood next to him and he started talking about how long we’d been together, but I couldn’t understand why he was keeping this poor man waiting. I kept saying,’Yes, okay, now turn around. This man wants to take a photo’. In the end (after a few minutes of misunderstanding) he said, ‘Ellis, will you listen. I love you and I need to ask a question!’ and he went down on one knee! I was in complete shock. Of course, I said yes. Apparently, Bradley had warned the man he was going to propose and that it might take a while!”

Real Weddings Chelmsford: Drinking, dancing and delicious Turkish food - Serena

Shopping for the dream dress

Ellis bought WED2B’s Serena dress in November 2016. “I just went to just look at dresses, not really to buy!” she says. “I wanted to try one on with my just Mum present, so it wasn’t so daunting when I went with my bridesmaids later. Then I put on Serena and completely fell in love. I just couldn’t leave the shop without it! I told the sales girl I would be wearing my great grandmother’s pearl necklace too and she said, 'I know exactly what to put with the dress’. She came back with the perfect belt and veil to match, which I also bought. I would give my store experience ten out of ten!”

Real Weddings Chelmsford: Drinking, dancing and delicious Turkish food - Serena

A venue with a secret

The couple booked High House in Althorne, Essex, for their September 2018 wedding. “We had booked to see a few venues in 2017 and High House was first on our list,” says Ellis. “We arrived to view it and completely fell in love. Everything was perfect, the layout, the garden area, the bridge, the lake, the barn and even down to the small details. And we fell completely in love with it again on our wedding day. The most amazing thing about the venue is that it also has a secret dance floor, which is revealed during the first dance. It was the hardest secret to keep from our families but seeing their reaction was so rewarding!”

Real Weddings Chelmsford: Drinking, dancing and delicious Turkish food - Serena

Drinking, dancing and Turkish food

“On the day my Dad walked me down the aisle to ‘A Thousand Years’ by The Piano Guys,” says Ellis. “I loved seeing Bradley’s face as he turned towards me. He told me how perfect I looked.” The 2pm ceremony was followed by reception drinks of Pimms and Buck’s Fizz. “The weather was beautiful, so we were able to have drinks outside,” says Ellis. “This was followed by a sit-down wedding breakfast where we served Turkish food. Bradley and I go to Turkey every year and Turkish food is our favourite.”

Real Weddings Chelmsford: Drinking, dancing and delicious Turkish food - Serena

Rustic decor

The colours for the day were rustic pinks and greys. “This complemented the venue, which is very rustic with a countryside setting,” says Ellis. “We also had tall trees on our tables and our cake featured a clay cake topper of Bradley and I." Later there were speeches followed by an evening reception with plenty of drinks and dancing.

Real Weddings Chelmsford: Drinking, dancing and delicious Turkish food - Serena

My favourite moment…

“I loved taking time for Bradley and I to walk around the lake together, and take in the day,” says Ellis. “Seeing the love we have for each other was amazing. Not just as husband and wife, but also seeing our two families becoming one and also some of our friends who have become like family. Just remember to take in as much of the day as you can. It goes by so fast and it really is the best day of your life!”

Real Weddings Chelmsford: Drinking, dancing and delicious Turkish food - Serena

Ellis’s Dream Team:

Photographer: George Phillips

Venue: High House, Althorne Essex (highhouseweddings.com)

Florist: Le Fleur (facebook.com/Le-Fleur-411335328925422)

Catering: Valentine Cuisine (valentinecuisine.com)

Cake: Sue Allen

Stationary: Two Little Ducks Design Studio (twolittleducksdesignstudio.com)

Entertainment: Dj Harvey (djharveymusic.com)

Hair and Make-Up: Curls, Swirls & Beautiful Girls (curlsswirlsandbeautifulgirls.com)

Did your wedding have the wow factor like our wedding with Turkish food? If you would like your big day to be one of our real weddings send your favourite photo to info@wed2b.co.uk and we’ll be in touch!

Real Weddings Chelmsford: Drinking, dancing and delicious Turkish food - Serena