Editor loves and inspiration

Suzanne and Ashley met on Tinder, and it truly was love at first swipe – Ashley was Suzanne's first and last swipe on the app! They met up the very next day and it was an instant connection for both. Suzanne adds, “it didn't take me long to know that I was going to marry him (roughly two weeks). It took him a bit longer to realise this (nine years!), but it was worth the wait. Ten years on and we are happier than ever with a baby on the way.” You can see flashes of Suzanne's baby bump in these wedding photos, which makes this romantic day even more special! So nines years after meeting, how did Ashely pop the question? After the sad passing of Suzanne's dad in 2024, Suzanne and her mum decided to go on a cruise of the Norwegian Fjords; little did she know that Ashley was coming too. Here Ashley tells us more, “my plan was to wait until the next day to propose but fate had other ideas. That evening, Rob and I were leaving one of the bars, and across the room – staring straight at me – was Suzanne. I panicked! I did what any man would do: I dove behind the nearest cover, which just so happened to be a man selling roses. I had two options; jump overboard and swim for mainland OR grab a rose, and propose. I chose option two.”

Find out more about their special day in the latest issue of Your Kent Wedding magazine - Issue 122

No matter what you may know about weddings and the requirements for styling them, there's always something that may pop up to surprise you. Luckily for you, you're reading this magazine, so you're already fi ve steps ahead of a bride who isn't. In this feature, we will guide you on your approach to venue styling and show how you can cover every corner in purposeful decoration.

To learn more about decorating your venue, check out the latest issue of Your Kent Wedding - Issue 121 July/August 2025

The Secret Garden and The Pretty Prep Studio, teamed up with Isabelle Kate Photography and videographer Teal and White Films, to create this breathtaking show of dreamy pastel nuptials. The talented team turned, what was already a stunning wedding venue, into a fairy garden explosion that held a strong grasp on all things classic and classy about weddings. The modern twist of pastels added pops of enjoyment throughout and highlighted the intimacy of summer garden weddings. Click through to discover the secret to this garden wedding display.

Be inspired by this shoot in Your Kent Wedding - Issue 121 July/August 2025

Morgan and Grant met when Morgan was working as a barmaid at the Marriot Hotel in Bexleyheath. Grant was staying there for business, and it was at the bar that they got chatting. Morgan declined Grant's initial offer for a drink, but after a month of getting to know one another, she accepted. Grant popped the question at Morgan's sister's wedding right at the end of the night. At 10PM when her sister was about to throw the bouquet, the DJ started playing Bonfire Heart, the bouquet was handed to Morgan and she was spun around, to the sight of Grant on one knee. Morgan adds, “it was the most amazing moment to be able to share that with my sister and all my family.”

Find out more about their special day in Your Kent Wedding - Issue 121 July/August 2025

Leonie and Kenny met online, and it was an instant connection for both. Leonie was ready to give up on fi nding love online but then fate brought these two together. Their conversations were built on a shared love for Disney, but it was Kenny's humour, honesty and caring nature that really sold Leonie. Their bond was instant and there was nothing coming between these two. With the pandemic approaching, Leonie and Kenny knew they didn't want to be apart for an uncertain amount of time. So, within six months of the fi rst date, they had met each other's families, bought a house together and already started discussing things like marriage and kids. Leonie adds, “there are those that thought we were crazy or moving too fast, but we always said, 'when you know, you know!'. When you meet the love of your life you don't want to waste a single second!”

Kenny spared no romance when planning the perfect proposal. His original plan was scuppered, no thanks to covid, but everything happens for a reason and the new engagement plan was testament to this. Kenny had arranged the hire of a Morgan convertible (the ultimate romantic vintage car) and drove Leonie around the Scottish Highlands, stopping at various points to take in the spectacular sights. The last stop was at a breathtaking waterfall with amazing scenery, it was here that Kenny announced his fi nal surprise and got down on one knee.

Find out more about their special day in Your Kent Wedding - Issue 121 July/August 2025

Lots of photographers offer an engagement shoot, but we're camera-shy and don't know if it's for us. What are the benefits?

Let's face it, most of us stay clear of the camera and I completely understand why couples feel unsure or nervous. But I can honestly tell you that having a pre-shoot or engagement shoot will only benefit! They will in fact, have a positive impact on your wedding photos, as the photographer has already got to know you and the style you're looking for. I believe in the power of a pre-shoot so much that I frequently provide one when booking (free of charge).

A pre-shoot will help you get to know what you feel comfortable with, how you interact with one another, and understand the love story you're trying to share. It also provides a great opportunity to gain confidence in front of the camera and have some fun, romantic moments. The bonus is you get a set of gorgeous images to keep, and memories to look back on. All of this results in beautifully relaxed wedding photos, having gained confidence and a deeper relationship with your photographer.

https://nphotography.co.uk

Read more of your local supplier hot takes online at County Wedding Magazine in issue 120

Q - How do I create a fresh-faced dewy finish for my summer wedding this August?

A - The key to a fresh, dewy finish starts with a good skincare routine – ensuring your skin is hydrated ready for the products. Once your skin is prepped and glowing the make-up will sit beautifully. I start with a hydrating primer, usually something with light-reflecting properties (the Saie glowy super gel is my favourite at the moment!).

On to the base, I love NARS' Light-reflecting Foundation or Armani's Illuminous Foundation; this offers a light coverage and when topped off with Charlotte Tilbury's Flawless Filter, you're guaranteed a glow. A creamy blush by Patrick TA or Hourglass will give a fresh dewy finish; I like to lock this into place with the Dior Glow Palette - I also add this to the brow bone and cheek bone for the ultimate glow from within look.

Use a hydrating setting spray to maintain the glow without your make-up slipping (make sure you use one that is designed to illuminate). Avoid over powdering and lightly dust the T-Zone where you may need mattifying. Finish off with a lip liner and a gloss to achieve that radiant look for your special day.

Samantha Campbell Bridal Makeup https://samanthacampbellbridalmakeup.co.uk

It's believed that those who are meant to be in your life are attached to you by an invisible string, and when the time is right, fate will pull that string and bring you together – this is very much the case for Jack and Julie's relationship. They both went to the same primary school, but it wasn't until they were in their twenties that Jack messaged Julie on social media; they later bumped into each other at the pub and the rest is history!

Julie recalls the day Jack popped the question: “Jack proposed on Christmas Day. It was the fi rst time we had hosted Christmas in our new home, and I had an inkling he was going to propose but wasn't certain.” She goes on to say, “we had been at my parents' the night before, and my dad was pouring strong glasses of gin, and I ended up being sick! I was still rough in the morning and when we opened our presents, Jack hadn't proposed. I thought I'd ruined the whole thing! I had gone to get ready for the day, and when I came back downstairs, I saw Jack on one knee in front of the Christmas Tree.”

Find out more about their special day online at County Wedding Magazine

Cameron, from Northern Ireland, and Elise, from Kent, met for the first time at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, where they both attended. Their shared subject and mutual friends pushed fate to seat them next to each other. However, it wasn't until they met the second time on a night out that the romance started. Sparks flew and Elise thought Cameron, “was very good looking and loved how confident he was”. Cameron shared her enthusiasm claiming, “Elise was really pretty and funny”. The couple have now been together nine years and are ready to share their beautiful story.

Cameron popped the question in Stockholm, November 2023. Elise shares that it was a complete surprise and recalls, “He made me walk out into the Djurgarden (Deer Garden) with all the autumn trees and colours and when I turned around, he had the ring out. It was so special, and I had no idea he had been carrying it around with him the whole time.”

Read more about their fantastic love story and wedding day at County Wedding Magazine.

Fate seemed to draw Marite and Artis to each other. “One week before we met, Marite recorded a video of someone singing at an open mic, which later turned out to be a video of me,” says Artis. “So, in a way, our story began before we officially met. We actually met at Marite’s friend’s birthday party, where I ended up by sheer coincidence as some people who I met during the day at a Couchsurfing meetup invited me to come along. At the party, I met a lot of friendly people, and soon we all started meeting up more frequently, going on trips and hikes together. Initially, neither of us were romantically interested in the other. But as we spent time together, we had the chance to get to know each other better, slowly and naturally, without the pressure of dating. I started to get interested in Marite and asked her out on a date, but she was not interested in a relationship at that point. Things started to change when we went on a trip to Greece with a small group of friends. That’s when we got into deeper conversations and discovered each other’s core values and personalities. We realised how similar our views on life were and couldn’t stop talking the whole trip. Not long after returning from Greece, while making burritos at home together, we decided to give our relationship a chance.”

Artis proposed on the couple’s fifth anniversary in Greece, where they first had those meaningful conversations. “We had a wonderful dinner at a restaurant, after which we went up the nearby hill to a small viewpoint overlooking a village in Meteora under the open night sky,” shares the groom. “It was a very beautiful and meaningful place for us. Marite suspected the proposal because it was an unusual amount of planning by me. She later told me that she was also keeping her expectations low in case it didn’t happen. When I proposed, I was very nervous. Nobody else was around, but exactly when I asked the question, a motorcycle honked as it passed by. She replied, ‘Of course, yes!’ We stayed up on the hill, reflecting on our life journey together and looking forward to a new chapter in our future.”

See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yourkent.wedding/free-download