GOTHIC romance

Tracy and Neil met when they were teenagers, but slowly drifted apart until fate brought them back together

Images courtesy of Pengelly Photography

Tracy and Neil met when Tracy and her older sister were walking along the main road on Canvey Island. Neil and his friend stopped on their motorbikes to ask where a certain pub was and they got talking. “Neil was 17 and I was 13, but we quickly became friends doing everything together within our friendship group,” says Tracy. “The first thing I noticed about him with his shoulder length black hair and dark eyes. My teenage years were idyllic with Neil and our group of friends, but when Neil went to college, we seemed to drift apart. We stopped seeing each other and lost contact. I heard through mutual friends that he was working in America and had got married. I eventually got married too, but never forgot about Neil. Many years later, when our marriages were over, Neil contacted my sister asking how I was and we started talking.” Their relationship blossomed and Neil asked Tracy to marry him over the phone while he was in America. “Neil moved back to England and we went to Hatton Garden to purchase our rings. That evening when we returned from Hatton Garden with my beautiful engagement ring and the wedding rings, we went to my mum and step dad’s house and Neil got down on one knee in front of me and my parents and proposed properly. It was a big surprise as he’d already proposed, but both my mum and I cried. It was a wonderful moment.”

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

We were looking for a venue where we would have exclusive use and that everyone could stay the night. It was important that the staff could see my vision and be able to adapt ideas so that we could achieve our perfect day. Tracy Cole from Hintlesham Hall was extremely knowledgeable and very helpful. The service we received from everyone at Hintlesham Hall was impeccable.

We chose to get married between Christmas and New Year as people were able to get the time off work more easily. I built our theme around my black lace wedding dress, then added red roses and gold hues to tie in with Hintlesham Hall’s décor.

Our centrepieces were clear glass chargers with gold beading and large black candelabra with cascading ivy and red roses.

Neil and I chose round tables that we named after Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

Our cake was a Gothic design in a sepia colour; it had fruit layers infused with single-malt whisky. It was decorated with 3D trees and black branches, which formed an arch at the top that held two large fresh red rose buds. I designed the cake with the help of Terri from EriVica Cakes, who was amazing.

Neil and I sat on our own in front of a large fireplace, which we decorated with an off-centre flower display.

I wore a beautiful black lace gown called Zander by Sottero Midgley. I chose this style because I am not a ‘young’ bride, I like to wear black and it had a nude underskirt. I sourced it from TDR Bridal Birmingham as no one else could get it made and ordered from Italy for me. When it arrived, it was over two sizes too big, but my wonderful seamstress Heather worked over the course of six visits to completely tailor it to fit me.

Neil wore a bespoke tuxedo from Anthony Formal Wear with cufflinks that I bought for him for Christmas. When we first met, I gave him a St Christopher for his 18th birthday, which he had since lost, so for his groom’s present, I gave him a new gold St Christopher.

I had my future step-granddaughter as my flowergirl. She wore a beautiful dark nude dress with black embroidery, which complemented my dress.

Paul Arnold played the piano during the wedding breakfast; he was so good and our guests had a sing along with him in the orangery. We then had a DJ from Your Wedding Disco play our chosen music until the early morning.

I was excited to be marrying the love of my life and surprisingly relaxed. We were so happy that our friends and family enjoyed themselves, and although we had a wide range of age groups, everyone seemed to blend well and have fun.

Saying our vows was very memorable; we held hands and giggled and even kissed halfway through.

My hairdresser, Sam Bigden, styled my hair amazingly. I have short hair, but he made it look thick and wavy, and I had a huge number of compliments.

The cake was perfect and numerous guests took pictures of it.

The whole experience was amazing, and family and friends are still talking about how unusual a wedding it was now.

At Christmas, my dog Luna snapped her cruciate ligament and broke off a piece of bone, so she was in the hospital during our wedding, so we did not go on a honeymoon as we have been nursing her back to health. We are going to Venice for a long weekend soon which we have planned together.

TRACY AND NEIL’S CONTACTS

Venue and catering, Hintlesham Hall, www.hintleshamhall.co.uk | Photographer, Pengelly Photography, www.pengelly-photography.co.uk Bride’s dress, TDR Bridal Birmingham, www.tdr-bridal.co.uk | Bride’s shoes, Valentino, www.valentino.com | Groom’s suit, Anthony Formal Wear, www.anthonyformalwear.co.uk | Mother-of-the-bride’s dress, Gina Bacconi, www.ginabacconi.com | Mother-of-the-groom’s dress, Phase Eight, www.phase-eight.com | Hair stylist, Sam Bigden, 07590 375 818 | Nails, Tabitha Solly Nail Technician, 07859 389 910 | Cake, EriVica Cakes, www.erivicacakes.com | Flowers, W Flowers, www.wflowers.co.uk | Stationery, Cartalia, www.cartalia.co.uk | DJ, Your Wedding Disco, www.facebook.com/yourweddingdisco | Pianist, Paul Arnold, www.pianopaul.com