Real Weddings from Your Kent Wedding

Boho Romance

Hayley and Ed met while they were both working at an insurance company 10 years ago. "We reconnected several years later and have been inseparable since," says Ed. "We share the same values, a laid-back approach to life and a love of animals." "I proposed to Hayley at Macquaries Point in Sydney, Australia, which has a beautiful view overlooking Sydney Harbour and the Opera House," shares the groom. "Hayley lived in Australia for a few years and I knew it would be special to do it in a place that she holds dear. I asked her to pose for a photo against the backdrop and then dropped to one knee. Based on her shocked reaction and happy tears, I would say it was a big surprise." The couple sh

Childhood Sweethearts

Samantha and Joseph fi rst met while out with friends when they were 14 years old. "We didn't say hello to each other, but that evening Joseph added me on Facebook and we spoke for four days before Joseph asked me out," says Samantha. "I found Joseph to be very handsome and talking to him felt so easy and he always made me laugh."

A Royal Occasion

Amy and Alex met at work. "I think looks were the initial attraction, and I loved how good Alex was with his son," says Amy. "Alex proposed while we were skiing in Les Gets, France, in April 2022. We were at a friend's charity event, and by pure coincidence, I actually won the raffl e and had to go on the stage. As I looked around, Alex was coming towards me and getting down on one knee. This was really out of character, as Alex is really shy and doesn't like attention. He had gotten the DJ to play my favourite song. It was so lovely to be there with most of his family watching. I then rang all my family and friends back in the UK in hysterical tears, showing off my beautiful ring!"

A Festival of Love

Anna and Owen met at university in 2012. "We knew of each other but didn't really get to know each other until a few months later," says Anna. "When we spoke to each other properly, there was instant chemistry and we've been extremely close ever since. Our attraction to each other was obviously physical, but our personalities are very compatible and we can always make each other smile and feel loved."

Summer Loving

Katie and Marc met at school when two mutual friends introduced them. "We were in a relationship for fi ve years before we went our separate ways," says Katie. "Four years later, Marc reached out to see if I wanted to go for a drink. I thought it would be an opportunity to reassure us both that we'd made the right decision all those years ago; however, within fi ve minutes, it was clear that we were going to get back together."

Timeless Romance

Ann-Jee and Nick were introduced to each other by a mutual friend at a Halloween party 10 years ago. "For me, it was love at first sight," says Nick. "She was so effortlessly charming and funny, with a captivating smile. Sadly, my 'friend' had already told Ann-Jee all of my most embarrassing stories, so she took a bit more convincing, especially as I was the only person in attendance who hadn't bothered with a costume!"

I do, I do, I do

P urdie and Steve met many years ago. Initially, Purdie wasn't interested in meeting anyone, but when she met Steve, she decided to give him a chance and the pair have been inseparable ever since.

In The Meadow

Heidi and Michael first crossed paths as children at church. "I attended with my family and Michael was an altar boy along with my brother," says Heidi. "Years later, I caught Michael's eye on social media, but he did not recognise me at first. He messaged me asking why I had numerous photos with celebrities; my brother was manager at a nightclub at the time. I read the message, recognised him immediately, and shocked him with my response, 'Didn't you used to be an altar boy?' We arranged to meet and quickly became friends, which soon developed into a relationship."

Fly Away With Me

Samantha and Craig met at a pub. "I was working there and Craig would regularly visit," says Samantha. "I was attracted to Craig from the moment I saw him, especially his dazzling blue eyes and his gleaming white-toothed smile. Later, I realised he also had a great sense of humour and personality. He always made me laugh; there was never a dull shift at the pub when he was there. We got chatting quite often and after a few months, we went out on our first date."

I do, I do, I do

Louise and Stephen met while out one evening after work in a wine bar in Fleet Street, London. "We quickly discovered a mutual love of good wine and good bread. Oh, and obviously attraction to each other!" shares Louise. "We met the following week, on three separate evenings. We spent the evenings, chatting, really listening to each other, laughing and getting to know each other. And there was an instant feeling for both of us, that this person gets me, and we both knew pretty quickly during those first few dates that our lives were going to look very different from how we had envisaged and that we would each have a starring role in each other's lives!"

Love At First Swipe

Lucy and James met on an online dating site, and spent a few months chatting being open and honest with each other. "James liked my eyes and dimples, while I loved his smile," shares Lucy. After a relationship blossomed, James surprised Lucy with a proposal on Christmas Days 2018. "He created a parcel with loads of layers, inside was a ring and then he asked me."

Summer Lovin'

Gemma and Ben met on holiday in Cyprus six years ago where the pair hit it off. What started as a holiday romance, it took them both by surprise when a relationship blossomed on returning to England. "Ben proposed four years later on a return holiday to Cyprus, which was a complete surprise to me," shares Gemma. "It was at the same place we had met, which was where he'd been with his family on holiday from a young age, so it was a place special to him. We were away with friends and family who'd been with us from the start, which made the engagement celebrations even more special!"

If Music Be The Food Of Love, Play On!

Jess and James met through mutual friends in 2012 and found mutual interests in music and festivals for a relationship to soon blossom. James proposed to Jess on 17th December 2021 on a cold Christmas getaway to Berlin, Germany, which was a surprise to the unsuspecting bride-to-be. The big date was set, 13th May, 2023, with Reach Court Farm setting the scene.

Disco Fever

Sophie and Sam instantly clicked 10 years ago when they met on a night out at Kent University; Sophie was a student and Sam was out with his rugby team. After starting a relationship Sam later proposed while the couple were in Thailand after a day of exploring the Phiphi Islands on a secluded beach. "He felt like it was the right moment, after carrying the ring in a box on a wobbly boat for the entire day!" shares Sophie. "It was near the beginning of the holiday, so it gave us a good excuse to celebrate for the remaining duration!"

It's A Family Affair

Amy and Dan met when they were 17 and hit it off straight away. "I worked in a tearoom and Dan worked in a fruit and vegetable shop and delivered to us. Dan was the guy that all the ladies fancied so I thought there was no chance; he was handsome with dark hair and chatty, I thought: he's a bit of alright!" Dan adds, "Amy was always chatty too, she never stopped talking; plus, as she worked in the tearooms I would always get a free breakfast!"

Such a perfect day

Beth and Rob met during their teenage years, having bumped into each other on various nights out. As they grew up, they went their separate ways, but their paths crossed again in 2018 and they began to date. In 2021, Rob proposed in a beautiful cove at sunset in Ibiza.

Lessons in love

Clare and Mitchell met at school but not as pupils, as teachers. They didn't hit it off right away and didn't much care for each other at first. But during one summer break, they realised that they actually did enjoy each other's company and fell in love – they say absence makes the heart grow fonder!

Our Best Shot

Hannah and Steve met in a bar in Kavos, Greece back in 2018. Hannah had gone away with her best friend and Steve was on holiday with two of his mates. They got chatting over shots and soon discovered not only that they lived just 10 minutes away from each other, but also that they shared a mutual friend. The two spent the rest of the holiday getting to know each other, then having arrived back in the UK they met up the same evening to go for a meal. They couldn't stop talking, it was the start of something wonderful.

You'll be in my heart

Georgina and Sam were childhood sweethearts having met at school. "We both took business class together and everything just fell into place, "Georgina says. When the time was right, Sam proposed while the two were on holiday in Mexico. It was a total surprise for Georgina, and they spent a wonderful evening together, just the two of them, celebrating. The pair fell in love with The Old Kent Barn and its rustic yet modern feel. Georgina explains, "We knew it would be perfect for our winter wedding with a Disney twist, with the white, snowy trees and high ceilings there. We also loved the fact that everything was in one location and it even had benches rather than chairs."

Making history for Becca and Pete

Becca and Pete met at school, aged 15, when they were sat next to each other in geography. They connected straight away and the rest is history. Well, not quite! Becca tells us, "We officially became a couple on the school field in March 2012 and have stuck by each other's sides ever since. We're truly the best of friends. We have the same sense of humour and have always mirrored each other's hopes and dreams."