LOVE AT FIRST SWIPE

Love AT FIRST swipe REAL WEDDINGS Lauren and Russ went all-out for their incredible wedding after finding each other online

Images courtesy of Natasha Marshall Photography

Scan to view video Lauren met Russ on dating app Bumble. “We had our first date on the 1st October, 2016 – and had already booked two holidays together six weeks later!” laughs the bride. “I loved how Russ made me laugh without even meaning to. He’s kind and thoughtful, and we have similar ambitions. Life just feels exciting being with him. Russ says he fell for my kindness, positive attitude towards life, and the way I can light up any room I’m in with my personality.”

Fast forward two and a half years and the couple were enjoying an all-inclusive holiday to Mexico. “It was our last night and we went to the hotel’s premium restaurant which you had to pay extra for,” continues Lauren. “Russ conveniently forgot his card, so I paid, and we went back to the bar to meet friends. At the end of the night, we walked back to our room only to hear music playing from inside – which Russ seemed equally confused by. I walked in to Spanish music and rose petals over the floor and on the bed, along with a bottle of Champagne. Even then I had no idea, especially when Russ said he simply wanted to thank me for our holiday! He went to the safe to take his watch off and came back with his hands behind his back, before producing a ring. I can’t remember a word he said – but it was still the happiest moment of my life.”

The couple chose the 15th October, 2021 for their wedding, saying ‘I do’ at Braxted Park. Here, Lauren tells us all about their incredible day…

After cancelling our wedding abroad thanks to COVID, we wanted to choose somewhere close to home. Braxted Park is only five minutes from my parents’ house and when growing up I always said I’d get married there! Each table was somewhere we’d been on holiday together. Mexico was the top table where we got engaged – and we even had Mallorca, which was the location of our original wedding venue.

I wanted to include an orchid and some pampas in my bouquet for texture. Our florist went one step further and added a dried pink feather, which blew me away when I saw it for the first time. The centrepieces were designed around the flower decorations on the top table. All our candles were LED, so we didn’t have to worry about accidents, plus we wanted something simple in keeping with the rest of the décor.

We had gold and white lanterns above the dance floor to fit in with the theme, and a gold shimmer wall with light up letters and a beautiful balloon garland. Have a celebrant instead of a registrar. You don’t need to follow any rules and the ceremony is personal to you as a couple. All our guests loved it – Olivia had people laughing and crying throughout.

We included decorations in the style of our chihuahua, Rio, and Russ’ family dog, Buttons for our cake toppers. The top layer was chocolate, and the bottom Victoria sponge, which went down a treat! For the wedding breakfast we enjoyed mini cheese toasties with soup, a sharing platter of lamb, and mini pavlovas and sticky toffee pudding. We also had bacon baps and cheesy chips later on that night.

My dress was the Enzoani Odelia design. When we moved our wedding from Spain to the UK, I was instantly excited as it meant I could wear sleeves! I teamed it with a veil and Victoria Percival headband. After the ceremony and group shots I took my sleeves off to create a second look, and had my hair styled into a low pony. I also changed to a different headband, which was handmade during lockdown by my seamstress.

At 10pm I then changed into a bespoke jumpsuit! I was so excited to put it on, and I loved how our guests said they’d never seen anything like it before. It had a detachable bow with a train, which added to the bridal look – and made for some great photos. Russ wore a black velvet suit along with a Hermès bow tie, which I bought as a gift to open on the morning. It turns out he’d never worn a proper bow tie before, so it caused a little stress for him and his friends on the morning! 35

As it was black tie dress code, Russ asked his groomsmen to wear their own tuxes. We’ve been to many black tie weddings with them, so he knew everyone had one and there’d be no stress with fittings or expense.

After entering the pavilion we went straight into dancing the Hora, which is tradition at a Jewish wedding. It was the first time many of my friends had experienced this, and everyone had so much fun. I wanted my bridesmaids to wear long sage green dresses, however, I let them choose their own styles. My maid of honour was my sister, so we designed her dress differently so she’d stand out from the others.

During dinner a string quartet created a nice, relaxing atmosphere. I saw them perform on an open day at Braxted Park and it immediately reminded me of Bridgerton! I knew we had to have them at our wedding.

LAUREN AND RUSS’ CONTACTS Venue, Braxted Park https://braxtedparkweddings.co.uk | Photography, Natasha Marshall Photography www.natashamarshallphotography.com | Lauren’s dress, MiliMili Bridal www.milimili.co.uk | Lauren’s jumpsuit, Rebecca Tembo www.rebeccatembo.com | Bride, maid of honour and mother of the bride’s hair and make-up, Bridesmade Artistry www.bridesmadeartistry.co.uk | Bridesmaids’ hair, Leggy Bird Hair www.instagram.com/leggybirdhair | Bridesmaids’ make-up, Makeup by Faye Neill www.makeupbyfayeneill.co.uk | Suits, Reiss www.reiss.com | Cake, Bridies Cakes www.bridies-cakes.co.uk | Flowers, Bud Flora www.budflora.com | Table plan and table names, By Chloe Louise Art https://bychloelouiseart.co.uk | Table settings, menus and drinks menus, LouPaper www.loupaper.co.uk | Catering, Gather and Feast www.gatherandfeastevents.co.uk | Rings, Goldsmiths www.goldsmiths.co.uk | Carpet, hanging lanterns and pavilion chair hire, The Wedding Lounge http://theweddinglounge.com Centrepieces, candle and lantern hire and ceremony décor, Party Squared www.partysquared.co.uk | Shimmer wall, balloons and balloon hoop and light up letters, Big Balloon Room www.instagram.com/thebigballoonroom | Photobooth, Megabooth www.megabooth.com | Wedding planner, Hayley Jane Wedding and Events www.hayleyjayneweddingsandevents.co.uk | Videography, Peekaboo Films www.peekaboofilms.co.uk | Ceremony and drinks reception entertainment, Ozzy & Stix www.ozzyandstix.com Evening band, Sway All Stars https://swaytheband.com | String quartet, Sole Bay Strings www.solebaystrings.co.uk | Celebrant, Olivia Coleman www.oliviacolemancelebrant.co.uk | Chill out furniture, The W Collection www.thewstudio.co.uk