Real Weddings Nottingham: Kara and Billy’s stylish wedding

Kara and Billy first met at a very young age through mutual friends. “We definitely had big crushes on each other and had that kind of young dumb love that ended,” says Kara. “Years went past and we reconnected, just to fall in love all over again. Our first date was at the cinema, thanks to Orange's 2 for 1 deal. Then it ended it with a cheeky Big Mac meal, discounted by the bus ticket scheme they had years ago. It became our go-to date plan!”

A Valentine’s Day proposal

“Billy wanted to take me to my favourite restaurant, Amores in Gedling, but I had different ideas as it was Valentine’s Day (14 February 2018),” says Kara. “I didn’t think anything of it and I really love Wetherspoon's nachos. I got my own way!"

"So off to ‘Spoons we went. Just after finishing my nachos and while I was deciding on dessert, Billy got down on one knee. Of course, I was over the moon, but I didn’t know how to react. The first thing that came out my mouth was ‘What are you doing? Get off the floor!’ It all ended in happy tears, a big yes and then the planning started.”

Bridal shops Nottingham 

Kara found her dream dress at WED2B’s bridal shops Nottingham. “I instantly fell in love with Genevieve, the dress that was on show,” says Kara. “It was lace, long sleeve, sparkly and beautiful. I let my mum, mother-in-law and maid of honour also pick a dress out, without me knowing, and I chose the one on display."

"It turns out my ‘yes’ dress was also the one my mum had picked out. I instantly knew this was the dress I was going to get married in. This also made my mum’s whole day. If only you could have seen her face. We also had a lovely experience at the store.” (For similar styles try Pierette, Fia or Valera)

A church wedding

The couple chose their family church for the ceremony followed by a reception at Clawson Lodge in Nottingham. “Darryl, the pastor at the time, was more than happy to marry us, as he has watched my family and myself grow up,” says Kara. “They’re like a second family to me and it just felt right for us to get married there. It was very personal.”

The big day

“Well, I was fashionably late! ” laughs Kara. “Makeup and hair weren’t done on time, and the taxi driver was pipping my bridesmaid along! Luckily, the weather also held. It tried to rain but didn’t, thankfully."

"My dad walked me down the aisle to a cello version of ‘Tale as Old as Time’ from Beauty and the Beast. I’ve always loved the film and Belle has been my favourite Disney princess since I was a little girl. I had to have some Disney in the wedding, it just wouldn’t be me without it. We walked out together as Mr and Mrs to ‘Best Day of my Life’ by American Authors.”

Dancing the night away

"We went for a blush pink theme and all the decorations were supplied by our events company, who did an awesome job,” says Kara. “The venue looked beautiful."

"We didn’t go big with favours, just mints in a box. Our cake was a beautiful three-tier, gluten-free cake. We also hired a DJ for the evening to get everyone moving and having a good time. So, the day finished with us dancing, singing and drinking the night away.”

My top tips…

“My only advice would be to really listen to other brides when they say don’t stress over the plan,” says Kara. “Keep the planning relaxed, go with the flow! The day will go so quickly it feels like a blink. Relax, enjoy it and make lots of memories.”

Kara’s Dream Team

Photography: Kathryn Edwards Photography and James Bentley Photography 

Ceremony: Carlton Pentecostal Church

Reception: Clawson Lodge

Bridal shops Nottingham: WED2B

Cake: Tree House Cakes

Florist: The Enchanted Florist Flower and Gift Shop 

Decor: HB Events Wedding & Events Hire

DJ: KPD Sounds 

Makeup and Hair: Beau Hair Bridal 

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 Nottingham