![](https://assets.isu.pub/document-structure/221117114549-d302b218e45b42d191d59009f634a922/v1/0f54da163cf4dfdf75b8e4210ef12435.jpeg?width=720&quality=85%2C50)
5 minute read
APPY EVER AFTER
ever after APPY After meeting on a dating app Holly and Burak soon realised they’d each found the one
Images courtesy of Amber Varghese Photography
Advertisement
Holly met Burak on dating app Bumble. “We got along easily straight away as we have similar values, interests and the same sense of humour,” says Holly. “Our first date was in a coffee shop in King’s Cross. It went so well that we ended up going for drinks afterwards, followed by a walk along the canal.”
Burak popped the question four years later during a glamping trip to the Cotswolds. “Little did I know he’d already picked the perfect ring a few months before,” continues the bride. “He asked me to marry him right at the beginning of our long weekend away, giving us the rest of the break to celebrate. It was a total surprise, and I couldn’t have asked for a better trip away.”
The couple married on the 9th July, 2022, choosing Thames Chase Forest Centre for their venue. Here, Holly tells us more about their day…
![](https://assets.isu.pub/document-structure/221117114549-d302b218e45b42d191d59009f634a922/v1/3b01d1ed49048643ce1dadd6c64508d7.jpeg?width=720&quality=85%2C50)
![](https://assets.isu.pub/document-structure/221117114549-d302b218e45b42d191d59009f634a922/v1/be81fb98d9bc28f34a71b15ff4325143.jpeg?width=720&quality=85%2C50)
Our relaxed and rustic vision wasn’t necessarily traditional, so we loved the idea of having an outdoor ceremony – plus the fact we could choose what we did with the venue’s barn. Our celebrant was amazing. She made our ceremony so personal, summing up our relationship through her beautiful script, while adding a little bit of humour to it, too.
My stylist Emmie taught me so much about handling curls! On the day I had my hair clipped back but with a few cascades left loose, so it didn’t get too out of control as the day went on – and the dancing started!
![](https://assets.isu.pub/document-structure/221117114549-d302b218e45b42d191d59009f634a922/v1/cf9312318d1a212cd0c860835ddfbefe.jpeg?width=720&quality=85%2C50)
![](https://assets.isu.pub/document-structure/221117114549-d302b218e45b42d191d59009f634a922/v1/6030bfd5cddd59a608c6d31ad6a7e9e9.jpeg?width=720&quality=85%2C50)
We decided to do our own flowers, buying wholesale to save on costs. We wanted a ‘wildflower’ feel with colour and foliage, getting invaluable help from the wholesaler for the perfect mix of stock, waxflowers, freesias, lisianthus, alstroemeria and lavender. For the tables we bought small wooden centrepieces, covering them with recycled jars, bottles, flower-filled glasses and pictures of me and Burak as children.
I wanted a lace dress with a bohemian style and low back, finding one in London’s Love Spell Design. The lace on the dress was so different to usual, and they even customised the neckline for me.
![](https://assets.isu.pub/document-structure/221117114549-d302b218e45b42d191d59009f634a922/v1/087e5cf68f5eba9b2fefb8b9239c6ac8.jpeg?width=720&quality=85%2C50)
![](https://assets.isu.pub/document-structure/221117114549-d302b218e45b42d191d59009f634a922/v1/b884e92d6996729eb8d180b257603133.jpeg?width=720&quality=85%2C50)
I wanted quite natural make-up, but had a few individual lashes put in, too. I loved the finish look and I know my mum and sister loved their make-up as well.
![](https://assets.isu.pub/document-structure/221117114549-d302b218e45b42d191d59009f634a922/v1/0cf11857e1ecf9ee8afcb845b50babeb.jpeg?width=720&quality=85%2C50)
My sister and eight-year-old niece were my bridesmaids. My sister chose an off-the-shoulder blush pink design from Quiz, while my niece looked adorable in her Monsoon dress. I love that she picked out a little pink handbag, too, which she hardly put down all day!
![](https://assets.isu.pub/document-structure/221117114549-d302b218e45b42d191d59009f634a922/v1/77bd9eadf928c0f5e0683b8a87c73cb0.jpeg?width=720&quality=85%2C50)
Burak wore a French Connection grey flannel suit, which was the perfect balance of lightweight and formal. His groomsmen wore their own suits, tying them together with matching pocket squares, ties and buttonholes
![](https://assets.isu.pub/document-structure/221117114549-d302b218e45b42d191d59009f634a922/v1/01e3c79301c4cd81ea5a6c13524b6015.jpeg?width=720&quality=85%2C50)
![](https://assets.isu.pub/document-structure/221117114549-d302b218e45b42d191d59009f634a922/v1/a82e1fd706dffbb67a2789d9a1d2010e.jpeg?width=720&quality=85%2C50)
Instead of a traditional cake we chose a mountain of Krispy Kremes! Burak arranged them on the morning of the wedding, finishing the stack with bride and groom toppers. They melted a little in the heat, which made them look even more yummy! What our guests ate was one of our top priorities. Burak is Turkish, so Turkish food was an easy decision, with a BBQ of flatbreads, shish, bulgur rice and salad. We also hired another caterer who served ice cream and sorbet from his vintage bike.
![](https://assets.isu.pub/document-structure/221117114549-d302b218e45b42d191d59009f634a922/v1/5d88ea3120fa6c6b142b10cf645d0de7.jpeg?width=720&quality=85%2C50)
In the afternoon, Burak’s brother and his girlfriend sang and played the guitar and harmonica. In the evening, we hired the band, The In-Laws. They got everyone on the dancefloor – where they stayed all night!
![](https://assets.isu.pub/document-structure/221117114549-d302b218e45b42d191d59009f634a922/v1/8c787ff232811a12ca9348ecbc66dad2.jpeg?width=720&quality=85%2C50)
![](https://assets.isu.pub/document-structure/221117114549-d302b218e45b42d191d59009f634a922/v1/e533940e793b8cd14d795239df971b2c.jpeg?width=720&quality=85%2C50)
![](https://assets.isu.pub/document-structure/221117114549-d302b218e45b42d191d59009f634a922/v1/da68bfea6ff19c04fdee087869171aee.jpeg?width=720&quality=85%2C50)
We were so happy to have our friends and family celebrate with us. When the sun was setting and everyone was sat out on the grass, enjoying the music and the last of the sun, it felt like a festival. Our caterer has a belly dancer who performs at the restaurant, so we asked if she’d dance at our wedding. She was amazing – she had everyone dancing and taught us all a few moves!
We can’t thank Amber enough for our beautiful wedding photos. She was such a pleasure to have around, with both the natural and detailed shots summing up our day perfectly.
![](https://assets.isu.pub/document-structure/221117114549-d302b218e45b42d191d59009f634a922/v1/9a98a39bc9056e84506b72b6bc12f0a8.jpeg?width=720&quality=85%2C50)
Do exactly what you want to do, remembering what you’re doing it all for in the first place. Congratulations – you’re so lucky to have found your person!
![](https://assets.isu.pub/document-structure/221117114549-d302b218e45b42d191d59009f634a922/v1/97cdceba97991b732204e81ee4e7cd09.jpeg?width=720&quality=85%2C50)
![](https://assets.isu.pub/document-structure/221117114549-d302b218e45b42d191d59009f634a922/v1/f00f73acb4db2a4b49b9420f4faf2244.jpeg?width=720&quality=85%2C50)
HOLLY AND BURAK’S CONTACTS
Venue, Thames Chase Forest Centre www.thameschase.org.uk | Photographer, Amber Varghese Photography www.ambervarghesephotography.com | Dresses, Love Spell Design www.lovespelldesign.com | Hair, Emmie Hair www.instagram.com/emmie.hair | Make-up, e.v.e.makeup www.enmakeup.co.uk | Suits, Moss Bros www.moss.co.uk Flowers, Liberty Wholesale Flowers https://libertywholesale.co.uk | Transport, South East Coaches https://southeastcoaches.co.uk Portable bar, bar staff, tables and chairs, Turqwise Events www.instagram.com/turqwiseevents | Rings, Martin & Martin www.patoisjewellery.com | Entertainment, The In-Laws www.functioncentral.co.uk | Celebrant, Funky Celebrant www.mtaylorcelebrant.co.uk | Day catering, Lefke http://lefkebbq.com | Ice cream bike, Jack’s Event Catering www.jackseventcatering.com | Photobooth, Canary Photobooths https://canaryphotobooths.co.uk