For any Leeds frequenter, the ‘Headingly Mile’ pub crawl isn’t one of the first places you’d expect to meet your life partner. Many things, but real romance starter certainly isn’t one.

But for Anna and Matthew this is where their love story began, both raving in a nightclub-cross-church (yes, really) called Halo when eyes met and Matt found his angel. Now, some years later, the pair are husband and wife and fresh from a gorgeously traditional wedding at The Normans.

After delaying their dream day for a year due to Covid, Anna and Matt enjoyed a festooned romance at this rustic luxe paradise, with pops of pink, peach and white making for the most magical modern matriomony.

GOWN GIRL

When it came to her gown, much like many other brides before her, it didn’t come without it’s hardships. Three dresses and a minor meltdown later, Anna finally found her ‘one’ - a sublimely simplistic, full floral appliqué number from Zavana Bridal at Chloë Jane Bridalwear.

A messy-yet-refined updo and subtle makeup glam to boot, and Anna was ready for her staring role – didn’t she play it well?

IT’S ALL WHITE

Despite the hardships of a delayed wedding Anna and Matt had little else to worry about with Sue White and the White Wedding and Event Company at the helm. With over a decade of experience these planning coordinators ran the day from start to finish, dealing with the logistics of set ups and suppliers and even being on hand to help Anna into her dress.

SUE'S ORGANISATION AND SKILL PREVENTED ME FROM BECOMING BRIDEZILLA.

ANNA, THE BRIDE

Q&A

What was on the menu?

A classic summer BBQ with extra pizzaz. We started with Mediterranean sharing boards followed by a mix of steak, halloumi skewers and chicken with loads of sides.

Funniest memory from the day?

When one of Matt’s best friends got over excited on the dance floor and threw a pint in the air, landing down my dress and on my step-mum Claire! Funny in retrospect but not at the time!

If you could bottle one special moment of your day to keep forever and relive whenever you needed it most, what would that moment be?

Our Vows and our reading. We wrote our own vows which held such special words to each other. We also asked eight of our closest friends and family members to think of what love meant to them and create their own ‘definition of love’. They each took it in turns to stand in the ceremony and read aloud what they felt love was and they were so sweet (and some very funny!).

BRIDE TO BRIDE

THE HONEYMOON LOVE BUBBLE DOESN’T HAVE TO END A FEW WEEKS LATER, MAKE EVERY MOMENT TOGETHER SPECIAL AND APPRECIATE THE LITTLE THINGS!

ANNA, THE BRIDE