Discover Shannon and Jack’s magical real wedding at Clearwell Castle, a romantic winter celebration filled with DIY details, emotional moments and the dreamiest Maddox gown by Viva Bride. If you’re planning your own castle wedding or looking for winter wedding inspiration, this love story is full of ideas you’ll adore.

Shannon and Jack’s Clearwell Castle wedding confetti moment outside the castle

Key Takeaways:

  • Venue: Clearwell Castle in the Forest of Dean — a fairytale setting for a winter celebration.
  • The dress: Shannon wore Maddox by Viva Bride, styled with add-on sleeves, a lace bolero and the Monae veil.
  • Proposal story: Jack proposed in Turkey (September 2018) after a funny “mock proposal” moment turned into something real.
  • Vibe: A romantic castle wedding with DIY details, emotional moments and a sparkler send-off.
  • Favourite moments: Personal music choices (including a fun aisle song) and a heartfelt father/daughter dance before the couple’s first dance.

Their love story

How they met

Real wed2b bride, Shannon, and her husband Jack’s romance began on Tinder in 2017 and they both knew this was something special from their first meeting. “We decided to meet up and from that day he somehow moved into my house and never left!” says Shannon.

Groom and his groomsmen standing outside the wedding venue before the ceremony.

A unique proposal in Turkey

The proposal was as spontaneous as it was unforgettable. On a sunny evening in Turkey in September 2018, Shannon playfully proposed to Jack as a joke — but her mum’s reaction made it suddenly real! That night, under the stars and overlooking the sea, Jack made it official with a ring and a heartfelt proposal of his own.

Close-up of the bride's bridal shoes, garter and jewellery.

The dress

Finding ‘The One' at wed2b Derby

The staff at wed2b's Derby store were so friendly, helpful and understanding that Shannon wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them. “It was the first and only shop I went in,” she says. “The staff were so lovely and they helped me turn a beautiful dress into my dream dress. I was self conscious that it had no sleeves, so we ended up getting some off-the-shoulder sleeves and a bolero to use, too."

"I also ended up having a miscarriage and needed a smaller size and the staff were so nice. They allowed me to, even though it was after the return/swap date. I couldn't recommend wed2b more than I already do!”

Father seeing the bride in her wedding dress for the first time during an emotional first-look moment.

The Dress: Maddox by Viva Bride

Close-up of the Maddox gown’s floral lace bodice and shimmering tulle skirt.

Shannon’s dream dress was the Maddox gown, a gorgeous floral A line by Viva Bride with a romantic sweetheart neckline and shimmering tulle skirt. “This dress made me feel like an absolute princess,” says Shannon. “Especially the morning of the wedding, with my hair done, makeup done, accessories on. It was the perfect dress.”

Bride walking gracefully down the staircase in her wedding gown on the morning of the wedding.

Accessories & Finishing Touches

However, a few carefully chosen finishing touches, like a beautiful lace bolero and beaded Lana lace straps, turned it into something even more special. And, a delicate Monae veil was the icing on the cake. “The veil was an absolute show stopper,” she says. “I actually picked it before I picked the dress!”

Bride getting into her wedding dress on the morning of the wedding with help from her bridal party.

The Venue

Clearwell Castle

Clearwell Castle is a fairytale castle venue, a hidden gem in the stunning Forest of Dean. “We found our castle wedding venue while we were on a short break,” says Shannon. “It had an open day, so we popped in to have a look and, oh my, we were blown away! So, we booked the wedding for the 28th Feb.”

Wedding ceremony room decorated with floral arrangements and aisle seating.

The wedding day

The Wedding Morning 

The day began with a lovely morning spent at the castle with the bride’s closest family. “I got ready with my mum, who was my maid of honour, and my bridesmaids, who are all family,” says Shannon. “They were definitely stressing as much as me!”

Ceremony Details

Then, when it came to the ceremony, the couple decided to have a little fun with the music. “My dad walked me down the aisle to the song ‘Harry Potter VS Star Wars’!” says Shannon. 

Bride and groom posing outside the wedding venue for a portrait.

Celebrating After the Ceremony

A moment of calm followed the ceremony, when the newlyweds took some time to take it all in. “After the ceremony, we had a quiet moment with cocktails and canapés, then headed out for our photos,” says Shannon. Luckily, it was such a sunny day. Later, we had a three-course meal for our wedding breakfast and then a relaxed evening buffet of fish and chips.” 

Elegant wedding table setting featuring floral arrangements and personalised decor.

The First Dance

When the party got started later, it was important for Shannon to dance with her father first. “I had the father/daughter dance first, to the song 'I Loved Her First’ by Heartland,” she says. “Then, Jack and I danced to ‘Baby I’m Yours’ by Arctic Monkeys. It was magical.”

Bride and groom enjoying their first dance during the evening reception.

Styling, Decor & DIY details

The couple also had plenty of budget-friendly, DIY wedding decor ideas, which added to the relaxed atmosphere of the day. “We made most of the decorations for our castle wedding ourselves, such as place names, favours, everything,” says Shannon. “It was so fun knowing that we did that. We also had a DJ and a photo booth, which everybody loved! Our cake was from Cake Box (the only cake I eat) and was absolutely lush.”

Bride and groom cutting their wedding cake together during the reception.

Favourite Moments

And, at the most important part of the day, a shared joke was ideal for calming the nerves. “My most memorable moment was getting to the bottom of the aisle and seeing Jack standing there looking nervous,” says Shannon. “Once I told him a joke he soon calmed down. Our sparklers were magical too, just to see everybody together and enjoying them!”

Bride walking down the aisle with her father at the start of the ceremony.

Shannon’s Advice for Future Brides

Lastly, if you’re thinking about your own DIY wedding decor ideas, Shannon definitely approves. “DIY everything yourself,” says Shannon. “It saves so much money and it's great to know that you did this!”

Bride and groom celebrating outside with sparklers as guests line the walkway.

Meet the Suppliers

Bride and groom standing under an umbrella at night for a romantic wedding portrait.

FAQs

How far in advance should you buy bridesmaid dresses?

Ideally, start once you’ve chosen your colours and styles. At wed2b, bridesmaid dresses are made to order and are ready to collect in around 14 weeks, so build in extra time for collection, fittings and any alterations.

If you’re ordering the same colour across multiple styles, made-to-order is also a great option because the dresses can be cut from the same dye lot for a more consistent colour match.

Can my maids wear different bridesmaid dress styles?

Yes. Mix-and-match is a popular choice because it helps each bridesmaid feel confident in a silhouette that suits her. Keeping one element consistent (like colour or fabric) will make the overall look feel cohesive.

Who pays for bridesmaid dresses?

There’s no single rule. Some couples pay for the dresses, some bridesmaids contribute, and others do a split (for example, the couple covers the dress while bridesmaids buy shoes and accessories). Decide what works for your budget and be clear early on.

What bridesmaid dress colours are most popular?

Blush and dusky pink are enduring favourites, while sage green and navy have been especially popular in recent years. Seasonal shades like burgundy, rust and champagne are also loved, depending on your venue and time of year.

If you would like us to feature your big day, like this real wedding Clearwell Castle, then please click here to share your story and photos with us, and we’ll be in touch. Also, for more castle wedding inspiration UK, check out our real wed2b brides. Lastly, your nearest wed2b is closer than you think. Click here for your nearest store and here for what to expect when you visit.