Jo and Richie’s wedding is a rather exciting one, as they were the first couple to tie the knot in the Boiler Shop, in Newcastle. “We saw a video about the renovations at the Boiler Shop and we knew that was totally up our street. So, we booked an appointment the see it while it was a building site, we had to wear hard hats, but we could see the potential. We booked it there and then. We loved that we could do what we wanted with the space, and that there were no guidelines at all.”

This creative couple took this blank canvas of a venue and truly put their own stamp on it. “Our plan for the day was to take inspiration from Richie's Dutch heritage and mix it with an industrial relaxed vibe. We kept calling our style, ‘Dutch Warehouse’. We wanted a wedding that nobody felt out of place, or uncomfortable in having to wear something. We didn't have a dress code, more a come as you are brief. We wanted a relaxed day that everyone from our youngest guest to our oldest guest could enjoy. The children ran around and played before the meal and speeches and people milled between tables.”

Jo looked absolutely incredible in her gorgeous blush pink wedding gown. “I really enjoyed my wedding dress shopping experience, and my mum kindly said she would pay for my dress. I started to look at local dress shops like Wed2Be, but I found that they really didn't cater for my size 22 shape. Then I found out about Just The Way You Are, because it was on the same street as my hairstylist’s salon, and I just knew I had to book an appointment. So I did, I went with my mum and sister, and we spent two hours looking at dresses. I was pretty sure on what I wanted, so I enjoyed trying on all of the dresses that fit that brief. Sophie (shop owner) was amazing, so friendly and relaxed, she made every single dress fit me so I could see them all on. In my first appointment I got it down to two dresses, the vintage blush one I got married in and a twenties inspired gown. On the second appointment, the blush one was my favourite and the twenties one my mum and sister preferred. But my heart was set on my blush pink dress, so that is the one we ordered. Along with three yards on the skirt material so I could make my own veil. I was so glad that I went to a plus size specialist for my wedding dress, because it meant I had an amazing experience.”

How did you choose your photographer?
“Richie is a photographer himself and I'm a make-up artist, so we both had an idea of the vibe we wanted for our photographer. We met Jade at the Belle Bridal wedding fair at the Biscuit Factory. We looked at her portfolios and instantly we knew she was our photographer. Richie and Jade chatted about photography and design for a good half an hour, and that was the decision made. We booked her the next day.”

How did you find the overall wedding planning experience?
“I really enjoyed the planning process, as I knew all of the suppliers I wanted to use so it made the process straight forward. I bought a wedding planning book and just used that for storing information and jotting down ideas.”

Did you attend any wedding fairs?
“We went to Belle Bridal at the Biscuit Factory, which was by far the best, much more of the suppliers that we wanted to see, they were much more fashionable and contemporary suppliers. We also went to the wedding showcase at Gosforth Racecourse, which was too big and too busy.”

Advice for other brides and grooms?
“Have the day of your dreams - don't let family or friends make you change your vision.”

What was your highlight of the day?
“The highlight of our day was walking down the aisle as Mr and Mrs Schaapkens and being able to see all of our friends and family beaming, crying and clapping for us.”

For more real wedding inspiration, take a look at our dedicated real wedding section, or the pages of our glossy regional magazine.