A beautiful barn wedding was everything this couple had imagined it would be for their big day. Our WED2B Real Weddings Hinckley feature reveals more:

Roadside romance

The side of the road may not seem a likely place to find love, but it was for this happy couple! "We were set up on a date but we couldn't find the way to each others homes," Gemma says, "so we met in the middle which was a lay by!"

Gemma had given up hope on Sean ever proposing, as events like birthday's and moving in together passed uneventful. However, Sean surprised her by getting down on one knee during a walk around the lakes at Barton Marina, "when he did actually pop the question it was a big surprise!" says Gemma.

Real Weddings Hinckley: Gemma and Sean

A dress fit for a fairytale

Gemma picked out the stunning Divine by Anna Sorrano for her wedding dress.  The delicate lace heart feature on the back caught Gemma's eye, and after an emotional reaction from her mum, she knew it was the dress for her. "When I put it on, I felt like a princess!" says Gemma. She paired the a-line gown with a short veil to finish off the whole bridal look, all purchased from WED2B bridal store in Hinckley. "It was my favourite wedding dress experience and I went to quite a few shops." says Gemma.

Real Weddings Hinckley: Gemma and Sean

Farmyard wow factor

The couple chose the gorgeous threshing barn of the Donington Park Farmhouse Hotel as their wedding venue for both the ceremony and reception. With the twinkling fairy lights setting the scene, it won their hearts instantly. "As soon as we walked in, we knew we wanted to get married there," Gemma says.

So, with a brass band playing to create the perfect atmosphere for their ceremony, Gemma walked down the aisle with her dad to 'Come What May' from Moulin Rouge. Gemma's favourite memory from the ceremony was during the vows when she had to repeat the words 'all that I have I share with you'. She couldn't help but let out a giggle, "people that know me know I'm not good at sharing!" says Gemma.

Real Weddings Hinckley: Gemma and Sean

On the day

While the amazing brass band continued playing after the ceremony, the guests enjoyed canapes and Buck's Fizz under the sun with Gemma and Sean. "It was just perfect, exactly how I pictured my wedding day". The couple snuck off for some romantic photographs before joining guests for afternoon tea.

To create a rustic, British feel, the couple decorated their venue with bunting, flowers in jam jars and fairy lights. To celebrate the joy and importance of marriage they also hung up photographs of their parents and grandparents weddings.

The evening progressed with more food, drinks and the all important first dance. Their first dance was to McFlys 'Love is Easy'. "During this my mum organised some of my family to wear masks of the Strictly Come Dancing judges and they stood there giving us our scores," says Gemma.

Real Weddings Hinckley: Gemma and Sean

Gemma's top tips

For future brides, Gemma's advice is to nominate someone to mingle with the guests, asking them to sign the guest book as "we just had ours out on a table and hardly anyone signed it."

A few more to inspire you…

Finally, if you love the radiant Divine wedding dress just like Gemma, then you should also take a look at Carmen and Destin. These dresses are both adorable lace a-line gowns with beautiful illusion necklines and breathtaking statement backs.

Did your wedding have the wow factor like our Real Weddings Hinckley feature? If you would like to be a part of our real weddings feature send your favourite photo to helena.jackson@wed2b.co.uk and we’ll be in touch!

Photography credit: Gareth Newstead Photography