Katie and Terry had a lavender-themed wedding at Stanhill Court Hotel

Katie and Terry met at work. “I had just come back from travelling and applied for a temporary role in Sutton,” says Katie. “Terry was the manager recruiting for the role and at the interview, he offered me the job there and then! Although the role was meant to be temporary, I was fortunate enough to become a permanent member of the team. Terry and I got to know each other and realised how similar we are. As time went on, we got closer, and after a couple of years of working together we were both invited to a colleague’s wedding. We got on so well and had such a fantastic time that everyone naturally assumed we were a couple rather than work colleagues! Following the wedding, we carried on chatting outside of work hours, and eventually Terry asked me if I wanted to spend the afternoon with him in Burgess Hill and go for a nice country walk. This was the first date of many, and our relationship blossomed from there.”

Terry popped the question on Katie’s birthday. “We had gone away to a little village in Hampshire for a few days,” shares the bride. “Terry had read on the hotel’s website that the grounds were meant to be quite pretty, knowing how much I love going for a wander, he thought this would be perfect. When we arrived, he kept suggesting going for a walk, but it was cold, and I kept saying no as I wanted to get ready for dinner. It turned out he had wanted to suss out the walk and see if there was a nice spot to propose, but I, of course, had no idea! On my birthday, Terry asked again if I wanted to go on this walk he had seen, so I agreed, again reluctant due to it being a bit chilly. I chatted to him until we came to a playground. I asked Terry if he could do a pull up, so off he went to prove to me he could. After a successful pull up, I decided to have a go. I stood under one of the bars and put my hand on it but realised a couple of the rings I usually wear were digging in. I took them off and asked Terry to hold them while I gave it a go. After a very embarrassing attempt, Terry and I laughed at my effort. I asked him if he still had my rings, and he said: ‘I suppose I ought to give you this one too.’ He pulled out a ring box and went down on one knee, and asked if I would marry him. I said ‘yes’ instantly!”

Katie and Terry's contacts

Venue and catering, Stanhill Court Hotel, www.stanhillcourthotel.co.uk 
Photographer, Dorrington Photography, www.dorringtonphotography.co.uk 
Bride's dress, Aurora Bride, www.aurora-bride.com 
Dress alterations, Tailoring & Alterations By Zen, www.tailor-alter.com 
Groom's suit, Dickies Suit Hire, www.dickies-suit-hire.co.uk 
Bridesmaids' dresses, Mix Bridal, www.mixbridal.com
Hair stylist, Beckie's Bridal Hair, www.beckiesbridalhair.co.uk 
Make-up artist, Philippa Foyle Makeup Artistry, www.philippafoylemua.co.uk 
Cake, The Bakery Den, www.thebakeryden.com 
Flowers, Sussex Florals, www.sussexflorals.co.uk
Stationery, RuthJoyceArt, www.ruthjoyce.com 
Venue styling, Slinkies Events, www.slinkiesevents.co.uk 
Postbox and light-up letters, Strobe Events, www.facebook.com/strobeeventhire 
Rings, Marc in the Lanes, www.marcinthelanes.co.uk 
Entertainment, JPC Events LTD, www.jpcevents.co.uk 
Harpist, Fiona Hosford Professional Harpist, www.harpist.uk.com 
Dance lessons, All Steps First Dance, www.allstepsfirstdance.co.uk