#EnzoaniRealBride: Tasha & Richard

For Tash and Rich, the idea that "opposites attract" certainly rang true. But what they discovered through their differences was a deep love unlike any other - one that could not only withstand difficult times apart, but become even stronger from them. We spoke to the gorgeous couple about their special day, their favorite memories, how their romance began, and how Tash finally found the perfect dress in Dakota.

THE DRESS

"Finding a dress for me was really difficult, I just didn’t know what I wanted. I must have tried on at least 40 dresses over a period of 4 months and everyone kept saying, “That is the one, ooh that looks lovely” on every dress! Which did not help my predicament at all. I eventually went in to Chameleon Bride which is a beautiful bridal retailer in Bournemouth. When I went in there, I looked at all the dresses and thought - I am never going to find anything! I had done quite a bit of research and had an idea of what I wanted, and one of the musts was lace! After trying on a few dresses, Grace the shop assistant said to me that she knew a dress that would suit my figure perfectly. She brought back Dakota and quickly whisked me off to try it on. When I came out of the changing room and my mum, sister and gran saw the dress, they all gasped. Immediately I thought, I think this is the one.

At first I tried a few glitzy belts with it, but I just thought the dress was so perfect by itself that it didn't need anything else to compliment it. However, I did opt for a beautiful Joyce Jackson cathedral-length lace trim veil as I felt it matched Dakota perfectly. I loved the simplicity of the dress, the way it hugged my curves. It kicked out at the bottom so it was easy to manoeuvre in, and the detail of the lace and the structure of the dress was just perfect. The zip back with the buttons also was a huge seller for me as it wasn’t too complicated and time-consuming to put on or take off. My dress was the perfect dress, and I am so happy I saw it. Everyone that sees a picture of my dress or that came to the day comment on it continuously."

THE LOVE STORY

"Rich and I met through a mutual friend over 9 years ago, but both weren’t ready for anything serious, so nothing happened. But as fate goes, we kept bumping into each other on lots of different occasions. It was one evening I saw Rich out with his friends, and we just got on like a house on fire. I remember for our first date, he took me to an Indian restaurant in the building his family owns and it was so perfect. I was at college and Rich was working. I was really confused by his job title when he told me he was a tree surgeon, I thought that was the most strange and ridiculous job I had ever heard of, albeit now they are so popular! As time went on and our relationship progressed, I had some career choices to make, and I began to work for British Airways. This was a massive test of our relationship as I was now going to be away a lot of the time. Thankfully, everything went to plan and it made us stronger than ever; we both realised it was nice for us both to have time apart from each other, and then when we were together we really appreciated it." 

"We are complete chalk and cheese. I am loud, outgoing and love to socialise, and Rich is quiet, keeps to himself and doesn't like crazy scenes. He always laughs at me and says that he finds it hilarious that I can walk into a shop and walk out knowing the life story of the employer working there. Rich is really sensible and very mature and he began to save money from a young age, and then there was me who was awful with saving money, and that is one of those things that I admire most about our relationship. He never moaned or made me feel bad, he just waited until I had grown up. He has the patience of a saint, but eventually I did grow up. On April 16th, 2013 (my birthday!), we completed on our first property together, a beautiful 2 bedroom flat. We had never lived together before so it was a bit of risk, but it paid off because our relationship went from strength to strength. In June, a new addition to our family came along, she had a long coat, and was the cutest little thing you have ever seen, our Chihuahua Holly. I say to everyone that if Holly was human, she would be my biggest threat! On 6th December, 2013, I had landed back from Antigua when Rich came home from work. He asked if we should do our yearly tradition of going to see the Christmas lights. On our first Christmas together as an official couple, Rich drove me to this road in Christchurch where every house is covered head to toe in Christmas decorations. Apparently you can see the road from space, it is that spectacular! It has been our yearly tradition, so I thought nothing of it and agreed. After we went to view the lights, we walked along Highcliffe Beach and sat down at this beautiful view point. In the distance you could see Fireworks from Bournemouth and we began talking about life. Rich asked me if I was happy with him, and as I said yes, he got down on one knee to propose. I literally could not believe it, and I was so overwhelmed. That is where the real love story began, because nothing else mattered after that, the petty arguments, the immature disagreements and the past hurtful comments said in anger just went away, and we began to plan our perfect day and the rest of our lives together."

THE BIG DAY

Tash says, "I stayed at the venue the day before our wedding as my mum and two sisters had planned a surprise spa day courtesy of my stepdad for us. The sun was shining and we had the best day getting everything organised. On the morning of the wedding, I was very calm and excited. As my bridesmaids began to arrive as well as the glam squad (we had 3 hairdressers and 2 make-up artists), the atmosphere was amazing, we all joked and laughed and were just so excited. Then before we all knew it, it was time!

I remember walking out of our beautiful suite we were staying in, and my heart started to pound as we got closer and closer to the idyllic lawn where our ceremony was being held. We had a walk to do which restricted the guests seeing us all in full view and at this time the emotions started to become visible. Once Linda, the master of ceremonies, checked we were all okay, my music choice, a beautiful piano piece by Roy Todd called "There's No Feeling Like This," started to play as my bridesmaids Amy, Beth, Zara, Natasha, Jen, Stacey and Alex began to walk.

When my father and I got the thumbs up, we began our walk along the path to the steps and crossed the lawns, past the fountain and began to walk down the white lace carpet. I looked up and smiled as all my guests were staring at me. I saw Rich he had tears in his eyes, and at that point it felt like no else was there apart from me, him and the registrar. My favourite memory was having all of our families and friends there on the best day of our lives and marrying my soulmate."

Rich says, "The morning of the wedding all I could think about was my speech I had to do, but I tried to keep that at the back of mind; I took my dog out for a walk which helped calm my nerves. Shortly as I arrived back to my mum's where we were getting ready, my ushers began to arrive, and we all had a laugh and preoccupied ourselves whilst watching football.

The time came where I had to change into my suit and we all left for the venue. When I arrived at the venue, I said hello to guests and then the registrar ushered us to the ceremony. When Tash began to walk down the aisle, the registrar said to me, “It's ok to look at her.” As I turned around, she really did take my breath away, I felt so emotional, she looked amazing and I had this overwhelming feeling of love. I just couldn’t wait for her to be my wife. My favourite memory is the feeling of being married to the women I love."

"We both decided we wanted a very close, intimate wedding of majority family and that is what we had. It was a very emotional, happy and loving wedding filled with laughs, fun and amazing memories.

From start to finish, our wedding day was perfect, the speeches were fantastic, the venue looked incredible and the weather held out for us. Everybody was happy, the food served was delicious and the wedding breakfast room was dressed perfectly with stunning flower centrepieces, hurricane lamps and gorgeous personalised favours."

OUR ADVICE...

"Best bit of advice we were given? Once you're married, hold hands and don't let go - you'll be pulled pillar to post with everyone wanting photos and to talk, so you can easily be parted. That way, hand in hand, you can share the best day of your lives together - the way it should be."

Photographer | Mark Scott, Ella Scott & Tony Rabina

Videographer | PowUP LTD - Phillip & Miguel

Venue | Elmers Court, Lymington

Decorator | Carol Slark - Laurel Designs & Laura Spencer - LC Sweet Occasions

Florist | Kay Murrant - Pomp & Petals

Cake | Natasha Baker - Bakers Bakes

Makeup | Michaela Chalk & Hannah Dixon - MAC

Hair | Tasha Kelly & Jack Sanderson - The Industry Hair & Grace Bailey - Grace Bailey hair designs

Retailer | Chameleon Bride in Bournemouth