Real Weddings Liverpool: Sian and Tom’s festive winter wedding

Sian and Tom first met in Magaluf, Majorca, in 2008 and then didn’t meet again until they were both in Ibiza in 2013. “Our first date was in September 2013,” says Sian. “We went for a few drinks around Liverpool City centre, which is our hometown.”

An unexpected proposal

Tom proposed when the couple were in Ibiza for Sian’s birthday in May 2019. “We went out for a lovely meal at 7 Pines Ibiza,” says Sian. “Tom had always said he would never propose on an occasion like Christmas, a birthday or an anniversary, which completely threw me off the scent! We went to get a photo of the beautiful sunset and then he got down on one knee."

"His mum had sadly passed away the month before and he proposed with her engagement ring. I was in total shock, as it was my birthday and I had no idea at all! I felt like the luckiest girl in the world. You could almost hear all of our friends and family screaming from Liverpool, as they had been waiting for this moment for as long as me!”

Bridal shops Wrexham

Sian found her dream dress in WED2B’s bridal shops Wrexham. “The girl who served me was new and I was her first customer,” says Sian. “She was brilliant. I put my dress, Aden, on and felt like a million dollars. Once the veil and tiara were on too, my mum and grandma couldn’t hold back the tears. I loved the classic timelessness of the dress, it was so beautiful and will still be as beautiful in 50 years time.” (For similar styles try Frankie, Gina or Elton)

A hometown wedding

“We always wanted a wedding in our hometown of Liverpool, as it’s the best city in the world,” says Sian. “We also have elderly relatives that would struggle abroad. Liverpool Town Hall was our choice for the ceremony, as it’s the most grand and beautiful building. Many people have never even set foot in there too, so it was a big surprise for our guests."

"For the reception venue we chose One Fine Day, which was a short walk away. It’s an old cotton exchange building, so has a lot of history and, like the Town Hall, is grand and gorgeous. It was perfect for our Christmas winter wedding."

"We wanted a winter wedding, as all of our friends and family had previously had summer weddings. These were always stunning, however there’s just something so magical about Christmas. I wanted to be engrossed in the wedding and full of festive happiness.”

The big day

“For our wedding day we arranged for a white (traditionally black) taxi to escort us all to the venue,” says Sian. “My dad sadly passed away a week after our engagement, so my grandad was more than happy to give me away. However, on the day of the wedding, he fell ill so my brother kindly stepped in instead."

"The weather was perfect, a crisp December day but not too cold for the walk to the reception venue. We had ‘Kissing You’ by Desiree for walking down the aisle, which got all of our guests' emotions going.” 

“Our most memorable moment was after the ceremony,” says Sian. “We arranged for a nine-piece brass band to surprise our guests and then escort us around to our reception venue. There were so many members of the public taking photos and congratulating us. It truly was spectacular and something I think our guests will talk about forever more!” 

“Once we got to One Fine Day there was a canapé and drinks reception. However, Tom and I didn’t get to taste any of these, as we were driving around our beautiful city getting the most amazing pictures.”

Feeling festive

The wedding theme was pine cones. “I wanted our wedding to be a winter wedding at Christmas, not a Christmas wedding at winter,” says Sian. “So there were just hints of Christmas throughout, including the huge Christmas trees in both venues.”

“I wanted to add a few personal touches, so I had napkins embroidered with everybody’s names, which they were able to keep and use for years to come."

"Our favours were both our mother and fathers’ favourite treats, so this was a little nod to both of them. Our cake was four delicious layers of sponge wrapped in white icing and decorated with silver ribbon. It also had a bride and groom pine cone on the top.”

“At the end of our three-course meal, when the evening guests started arriving, we had a soul singer on a piano singing the most amazing classic Motown and soul songs,” says Sian. “This was a lovely touch before our DJ started to really get the party going.”

My top tips…

“Just do what makes you happy, it will truly be the best day of your life.”

Sian’s Dream Team 

Photographer: Louise Griffin Photography 

Videographer: Benjamin Darren Weddings

Ceremony venue: Liverpool Town Hall 

Reception venue: One Fine Day 

Bridal shops Wrexham: WED2B 

Florist and venue dresser: Shelley Harrison Flowers 

Cake: Jenni Blackhall Cakes 

Band: Hardcore Hornography 

Singer: Andy Williams 

Stationary: Tavern Creative 

Napkins: Kay’s Embroidery 

Light Up Letters: Ryan Dillon

Make up: Jessica Grant Makeup Artist 

Hairdresser: Hair by Hayley Vidamour

If you would like your big day to be one of our real weddings 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 Wrexham