The dream team

Ashley and Craig’s love for Everton FC brought them together

Ashley and Craig are both avid Everton FC supporters and followed one another on Twitter. They’d also bumped into each other a few times at away day matches and became good friends. Football started the conversation between them but it wasn’t long before this turned into exchanged numbers and texting. They went on their first date late in 2014, and the rest as they say is history! “Everything just clicked into place, we were good friends, had similar personalities and enjoyed being around one another,” Craig says.

Craig proposed after four-and-a-half years together, in front of the Magic Kingdom Castle, Florida. He’d planned to pop the question before the fireworks, which didn’t quite turn out as he’d hoped when they got stuck on a broken-down monorail and missed the photographers. Ashley didn’t suspect a thing, while Craig frantically tried to think of a plan B. Luckily, the photographers returned after the display and the couple got in line to have their picture taken, which Ashley expected would be just like any other. When they reached the front though, Craig was down on one knee. “The crowd cheered and celebrated with us, which made it so magical, especially as it was at Disney,” Ashley remembers.

From the moment they started planning, they both knew they wanted a UK winter wedding. Peckforton Castle has always been a wedding venue Ashley dreamed of, but following their engagement at the Disney Castle, it seemed even more appropriate. “Everything about the venue from the grounds to the low-lighting and original features were exactly what we wanted. We decided to have a three-year engagement, so when we looked at dates for 2022, 30th December fell perfectly,” Ashley explains.

Join us as the bride tells us all about the big day from preparations to celebrations...

I wore Farrah by Pronovias. I found the dress online shortly after we got engaged and took a screenshot, thinking that something similar would be perfect. After trying on a few gowns at My Funny Valentine, which stocked Pronovias, I decided to try Farrah to find out what elements suited me. But as soon as I put it on, I knew it was the one. It was a definite say-yes-to-the-dress moment!

My dress was so big, wide and long – I hadn’t anticipated how I was going to get down the aisle with all the candles! As I was walking I could hear everyone gasping. I soon came to realise that this wasn’t because of my dress, but because I was so close to the flames and my veil was hovering above them at all times!

I chose a longer length veil than cathedral, as the train of Farrah is so long. It was plain with a hint of sparkle so that it twinkled in the candlelight.

Craig says, “The minute I saw Ash walking down the aisle, she took my breath away! She looked amazing, and although I didn’t think I’d cry, the tears were instant.” The aisle walk and ceremony were the standouts for me too. Walking with my dad and seeing the everybody and Craig for the first time was amazing. All of my planning had come to life.

I knew I wanted a traditional white wedding and chose an aisle laced with candles and blossom trees to create a winter wonderland.

My flowers were white roses, with my bridesmaids having the same. The buttonholes and mothers’ corsages too contained the same blooms.

Our centrepieces were cream blossom trees. Each table was covered with a mirror before being set to really give it the wow factor. Every cabinet in the room was filled with white roses and candles creating the perfect setting.

For our favours we had custom-made Christmas crackers filled with a Molton Brown shower gel, Yankee Candle Snow In Love, Ferrero Rocher and a Bailey’s miniature. The table names were based on a happily ever after fairy tale, so Chapter One, Chapter Two and so on. The signs were handmade books to match the rest of our stationery.

Our cake was classic, simple and featured our favourite flavours – lemon drizzle, Lotus Biscoff, Nutella and Ferrero Rocher. We wanted it to represent us, so we went away from traditional flavours and chose something we love. We cut it with a sword during the evening.

The bridesmaids were all dressed in black dresses from Jarlo London, which were simple and elegant with a small train.

In the evening, we also had a cheese cake, which was a huge hit with guests. It featured 14 different cheeses and who doesn’t love a cheeseboard at Christmas? This was beautifully dressed with a choice of chutneys and crackers.

The groomsmen’s tuxes had a satin stripe and each gent wore personalised cufflinks bearing their initials.

In the evening, DJ Lee Morrison kept the dancefloor full. He played a fantastic mix of music, gradually turning into more of a dance vibe, which is the music Craig and I enjoy. He was also joined by Jesus Martin, an incredible saxophonist.

We had confetti cannons for our first dance and throughout the night.

THE W-DAY TEAM

We can’t thank our suppliers enough, they were all incredible. Particularly, Rainbows Party Shop and photographer Laura. She was lovely to be around all day and kept everybody calm. Rainbows too were fantastic, they stayed the entire time and switched the rooms around three times.

Venue, Peckforton Castle, www.peckfortoncastle.co.uk | Photographer, Laura Wade Photography, www.laurawadephotography.co.uk | Dress, My Funny Valentine Bridal, https://mfvbridal.com | Shoes, Charlotte Mills | Hair stylist, Hair by Bethan S, www.instagram.com/hairbybethan.s Make-up artist, B The Bride, www.instagram.com/b_thebride_ | Bridesmaids’ dresses, Jarlo London | Groom’s suit, Slater Menswear | Venue styling, Rainbows Events & Party Superstore, www.instagram.com/rainbowsparty | Cake, Boutique Bakery, www.boutiquebakery.co.uk | Cheese cake, The Good Cheese Company, https://thegoodcheesecompany.co.uk | Flowers, Foam Wedding Flowers and Gifts, https://foamweddingflowersandgifts.co.uk | Stationery, The Paper Doll, http://www.thepaperdoll.co.uk | Entertainment, Craig Owen, http://craigowenmusic.com | DJ Lee Morrison, www.instagram.com/djleemorrison | Jesus Martin - Sax, www.instagram.com/jesusmartin_sax Videographer, KeyHole Studios, www.keyholestudios.com

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