How did you meet?
Well it is a long story……..I moved to Tunbridge Wells and went out for the first time, I was sitting outside one of the clubs and there he was, Tom! We chatted for a while and exchanged numbers, but we didn’t contact each other for a year or so. After that year had passed, I went out with my cousin for dinner at a restaurant and Tom was working there. We didn’t recognise each other at all and he asked my cousin for my name and left me his number on the table. I wasn’t interested so I put it in the bin! A little while later, Tom found my name in his contacts from the first time we met, and he tried his luck and here we are 10 years later, married and expecting our first child this summer.
Tell us about the proposal!
Every year we are going to the same place in Croatia, our little special place where we been many, many times. It did take him only 9 years to propose there, and that was in August 2016. It was our last night on our little Island in Croatia, we went for a dinner and then he took me to my favourite place there which is an absolutely stunning church. He asked me to pose in front of the church for a picture. He was bending down, and I was wondering why it was taking him so long to tie his shoe laces while taking the picture. I didn’t realise what was happening as it was only me and him in the dark with just a few spot lights. Then he popped the question and of course I said Yes!
How did you choose where to shop for your wedding dress?
It was pretty easy decision. I had been driving past Isabella Grace for a few years and every single time I went past, I told myself that I would go there once it was time for me to choose my wedding dress. The whole experience was amazing. I was very, very excited to go there and finally choose my dress.
Tell us about your wedding dress experience, and why did you choose your wedding dress.
My husband treated me to a lovely appointment with prosecco and from the very first moment pf stepping into the boutique I felt so special. I was led to my private fitting suite and we chose 5 dresses to try on. I put the first dress on and immediately I knew that it was the one. To make sure, I tried on one more dress but I knew I had found my dress. I felt amazing, I could move easily, and I didn’t want to try any more dresses on. I ordered my dress in a slightly different colour so I was very nervous when I went to see my dress for the very first time, but it was beyond my expectations and the dress looked absolutely sensational. I also got my veil and sash from Isabella Grace.
Describe your wedding day. Where, when, how…
Our wedding Day was the 15th of July 2017 in Slovakia. I am originally from Slovakia, but Tom is English, so we decided that we would have our big day in my home town. We chose our date on purpose, it is the same date as both of our mothers’ Birthdays so there was no excuse to forget our anniversary! So, with our mothers’ permission we went ahead with the planning. Our service was in the woodland park next to the stunning Manor house in a little village called Budmerice. We had a trio of 3 girls playing on violin, piano and flute to give the venue an atmosphere while our quests were arriving and enjoying themselves. It was such a special place and a perfect moment. My lovely sister in law sang as I walked down the aisle. She sang Hallelujah with the piano, flute and violin playing which was very special for me and my husband. He stood with his back to me while I was walking down the aisle and when he saw me for the first time he had tears in his eyes. After the ceremony, which was conducted in both Slovakian and English, we let our guest enjoy their drinks while we went off for some photos. We then had buses to take people to our reception venue which was in place called Red Stone Castle. We had our wedding marquee on the fields under the castle. Everything was just how it was supposed to be, lots of fun, laughter and good fun. As I am a very traditional girl, I included lots of Slovakian traditions in our wedding and all our guests from the UK very much enjoyed seeing it all. We have tradition at midnight where brides change into a special Slovakian folk costume and have another little ceremony where they make you into a wife. You then you go off again and change into an evening dress and return as husband and wife to your guests after midnight and party until morning.
Favourite part of your wedding day?
Probably when I walked down the aisle and saw my husband waiting for me.
Anything you would change if you could do it all again?
I wouldn’t change a thing to be honest, everything was just how it was supposed to be.
Your top tip for future brides?
Don’t stress over the small things as nobody knows about it, only you. Just enjoy yourself and your special day.