FIRST AT Love swipe

Maite and Luke met online and years later they tied the knot at Happy Valley Norfolk

Images courtesy of Alex Grant Photo

Like most modern couples, Maite and Luke met online. “We are very different but complement each other well,” says Maite. “He is funny and never fails to make me laugh. He’s the rational aspect of our relationship, while I’m more fiery and creative.”

Luke popped the question at Maite’s family home in the South of France. “He knew the house meant a lot to us, and it was the last time we would be there as it was going to be sold,” shares the bride. “He gathered a group of our closest friends and proposed by the river behind the house underneath a beautiful bridge. It was very thoughtful and a total surprise. The engagement ring was made by a small jewellery studio in Cornwall who specialise in sand casting; he cast the engagement ring with Cornish sand and we collected some from the place where he proposed to use in our wedding rings as a souvenir.”

Here Maite shares some of her favourite moments from their big day...

I wanted to reflect nature as much as possible in our décor and chose a lot of plants, flowers and foliage. I wanted our guests to be blown away visually!

For the bridesmaids, I wanted to make sure they were all comfortable in what they were wearing, so I sent them a colour palette and stated the fabric I wanted, and they all chose what they wanted from that. It turned out perfect and we looked amazing as a whole.

For the evening, I wanted to go a bit more controversial and wear colour, so I chose a red muslin dress with a striking headpiece.

We both felt overwhelmed and incredibly content. Luke had this little kid’s smile on all day and it made me happy. We were blessed that all our guests got along together. Everyone was talking to each other despite coming from such different backgrounds or friendship groups.

Our suppliers did an incredible job, and everything felt so in tune. We had such a wonderful day, and after the wedding, we went on our honeymoon to Bali for 10 days. It was lovely and very relaxing.

I wanted to keep my guests on their toes. My main surprise was driving my dad down the aisle on a motorbike with a sidecar and then driving back with Luke after the ceremony. We also had Luke’s friend play some acoustic sea shanties at the end of the night, which turned out to be super popular.

MAITE AND LUKE’S CONTACTS

Venue, Happy Valley Norfolk, www.happyvalleynorfolk.co.uk | Photographer, Alex Grant Photo, www.alexgrantphoto.com | Bride’s dresses, The Fall Bridal Ltd, www.thefallbride.com | Bride’s hair accessories, Lelet NY, www.leletny.com | Hair stylist, Tiffany Rose Hair, www.tiffanyrosehair.co.uk

Make-up artist, Ashley Kay Beauty, www.ashleykaybeauty.com | Planner and stylist, One Curious Dream, www.onecuriousdream.com | Cake, Buns Of Fun, www.bunsoffun.co.uk | Flowers, Thatch & Roses Ltd, www.thatchandroses.com | Furniture hire, Anthology Vintage Hire, www.anthologyvintagehire.com

Prop hire, Belles & Beaus Wedding Styling, www.bellesandbeausweddingstyling.co.uk | Ceiling draping and lights, Boomting Bunting, www.boomtingbunting.com

Banqueting items, The Banqueting Hire Service, www.banquetinghire.co.uk | Generator, Emotive Sound & Light LTD, www.emotivesound.co.uk | Day catering, My Kitchen Your Place Ltd, www.mykitchenyourplace.co.uk | Pizza truck, Elsie’s Pizza, www.elsiespizza.co.uk | Pre-wedding barbecue, Anglia Catering, www.angliacatering.co.uk | Drinks staff, ELM Vintage Bar Hire, www.elmvintagebarhire.co.uk | Guest transport, Silverline Limousines & Wedding Cars, www.silverlinelimousines.com | Side car, The Wedding Sidecar, www.sidecarhire.co.uk | DJ, Carly Foxx, www.facebook.com/foxxthedj | DJ equipment, Simply Sound Ltd, www.simplysoundandlighting.co.uk