Bride of the Month Winners
All the Brides to Be on this page won valuable vouchers towards the cost of their wedding, because they registered with The Wedding Guide Honeymoon Prizedraw at one of the wedding dress shops associated with The Wedding Guide in the East Anglia and Childterns region
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Stunning Bride-to-Be, Laura Garnham from Great Ellingham, Norfolk is pictured with fiance Jamie Southcott receiving Gift Certificates from Lorraine Roxby of Prima Donna in Norwich, where Laura entered The Wedding Guide’s competition. Laura, a Customer Assistant in Boots at Long Water met fiance Jamie, a Butcher for Tony Perkins in Attleborough, through mutual friends. They kept bumping into each other at Bar-be-ques and other parties and got chatting and started going out together in 2010, getting engaged in 2013.
Jamie, a true romantic, proposed to Laura whilst they were on holiday in Minorca. He set up T lights on the balcony of their hotel so they said “Will you marry me” with music playing and champagne on ice and waited for Laura to come outside.
Laura told us she was totally shocked but did say “of course I will!” and spent the rest of the evening celebrating.
They will be married at Great Ellingham Church in September 2017 with their reception at Applewoods at Banham. Laura will be attended by sister, Leah, and friends Laura and Charlie plus Kayla, 6, as a Flowergirl.
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Handsome Grooms to Be, Tony Squirrel and Tim Cooper, from Ipswich, are pictured receiving Gift Certificates from Mark Kirkland, Formal Hire Manager at Coes of Norwich Road in Ipswich. Tony, who works for the Credit Union for the Eastern Region, based in Ipswich, is to marry Tim, who works in the Pensions Department of Suffolk County Council, in December this year. They met at the Men’s Group of the LGB&T Network who meet every two weeks. They had both been going there for some time but had never met up. When they did, in April three years ago, everything clicked straight away and they went straight to the pub and continued seeing each other for the next three months - they officially got together on 15 June 2013. Whilst on holiday in Mykonos, Tim said they should be making some plans for the future and then, on Tony’s birthday on the 14th July, they went to Loch Fyne and, after the starter, Tony presented Tim with a ring and proposed. They celebrated with the meal and Tim eventually bought Tony a Tiffany ring. On their 2nd Anniversary in June last year, they went to Venice and had a trip on a gondola to celebrate. They are planning a Ceremony at the Unitarian Meeting House in Ipswich, with a Minister and two witnesses, followed by an Afternoon Event at The Gainsborough Suite, Novotel, Ipswich . They met over tea and cake so it seems very appropriate! They intend to take their honeymoon in February 2017 at Ljubljana in Slovenia.
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Beautiful Bride-to-Be, Carly Coleman from Great Dunmow, is pictured with fiance Glenn Hopkins receiving Gift Certificates from Laura Franklin of Fleur de Lys Bridal in Saffron Walden, where Carly has bought her dress and entered The Wedding Guide’s competition. Carly who works at Herts Insurance Consultants in Bishop Stortford, is to marry Glenn, Manager of the Cricketers Arms in Rickling Green, in April 2017. They met at the Saracens Head in Great Dunmow where Glenn was working when Carly went for a meal with her Mum and got chatting to Glenn. He visited her workplace and asked for her number, which he subsequently lost! Carly was waiting to hear from him but, disappointingly, heard nothing. However, he did come back again to her office and, after explaining what had happened, arranged their first date which was Christmas Shopping in Chelmsford. They planned to go by bus but it didn’t turn up so they popped into the Traffic Bar by the bus stop for a coffee and ended up staying all day and getting rather drunk. The rest, as they say, is history and they have been together now for six years. Glenn took Carly to Aberaeron in West Wales to meet his family and, on the last night there, they went for a walk along the pier and at the end, with the waves crashing in, Glenn went down on one knee and proposed. Carly told us she was totally gobsmacked but did say “yes.” They will be married at Takeley Church, followed by a reception at The Anne of Cleves Barn in Great Bardfield. Carly will be attended by friends Vicky, Kim and Christine and Glenn will have two Best Men – his best friends Ollie and Gary.
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Stunning Bride-to-Be, Kate Sladdin from Bury St. Edmunds, is pictured with fiance Ryan Milne receiving Gift Certificates from Sophie Burr of Burr Bridal in Cambridge, where Kate entered The Wedding Guide’s competition. Kate, a full time Mum to Olivia, 11 weeks, is to marry Ryan, a 3D Printing Marketing Manager for Canon in the UK, in July 2016. They met whilst on holiday in Guatemala where they were travelling – Ryan on a group bus for a month and when they joined another group that is when he met Kate. They liked each other straight away and got chatting and realised they lived in very close proximity to each other – Ryan in Great Barton and Kate in Horringer! They met up again in January after their return from their holidays and decided to go on a Salsa Dancing course and have been together ever since. Ryan proposed in Ickworth Park on Kate’s birthday. Kate lived in a property in the Park and Ryan proposed on Geraldine’s walk, which was rather poignant as this is where Kate had scattered her Mother’s ashes. They went off to a local jewellers to have their ring designed but it was not plain sailing as, when Ryan proposed again and presented the ring to Kate, it had been miscast and was two sizes too big! This was eventually sorted out and the correct ring presented and proposal accepted. They will be married at Barrandov Opera in Needham Market with a Civil Ceremony followed by their reception. Kate will be attended by their daughter Olivia as a Flowergirl plus, as bridesmaids, her sister, Lucy, Cousin Holly and Best Friend Francesca and Maddie, her friend’s daughter. Ryan’s Brest Man will be his brother Simon plus Page Boy Oliver, who is Ryan’s Godson and Ted, Kate’s Godson. They hope to honeymoon with Olivia in Switzerland or one of the Nordic countries.
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Beautiful Bride-to-Be, Carly Nichols from Norwich, is pictured with fiance Phil Ellingham receiving Gift Certificates from Sue Burgess of Dreams Bridalwear in Norwich, where Carly entered The Wedding Guide’s competition. Carly, an Admin Assistant at Job Worth Doing in Norwich, is to marry Phil, a Technical Services Manager for Job Worth Doing in September 2016. They met at a works Christmas Party. They knew of each other but did not work in the same building or office, and at the Christmas Do a colleague was trying to chat up Carly and Phil intervened and took her for a drink. Phil managed to get Carly’s number and started texting her. They got to know each other really well over a period of time and then started going out. Their first date was a walk on the beach at Cromer’ they bought a house together a year ago and have now been together for three years. Phil proposed whilst they were on holiday in Teneriffe with the waves crashing outside the balcony. They had flown in that night and, after dinner, Phil who had already spoken to Carly’s Dad, went down on one knee and proposed. Carly laughted as she thought he was joking but did realise he meant it and said “yes!” Phil also won “Romantic of the Year with Radio Norwich where he won a trophy and a meal at the Holiday Inn Norwich – North as part of the Local Heroes Awards. They will be married at St. Margaret’s Church, Old Catton followed by a reception at the Norfolk Mead in Coltishall. Carly will be attended by her sister, Lauren and Carly’s daughter Holly and Phil’s Best Man is his best friend Steven Barnes.
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February 2016
www.davidgarrettphotography.co.uk
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Beautiful Bride-to-Be, Natasha Latimer from Trimley St. Martin, is pictured receiving Gift Certificates from Carol Harvey of The Suffolk Bridal Company in Ipswich, where Natasha entered The Wedding Guide’s competition. Natasha, a Customer Services Team Leader in shipping at DAMCO in Felixstowe is to marry fiance James Dunn, a Fork Lift Driver for ACS in Felixstowe, in September 2017. They have known each other since they were 15 and met at a Skate Park in Felixstowe. They lost touch for about 10 years and then James found Natasha on Facebook and messaged her. They went on a date to the Maybush for dinner and since then have been inseparable for the past four years. Whilst Natasha was having laser eye surgery, James went out and bought the engagement ring and the day after he took her to the Newbourne Fox for dinner. They sat in the garden outside and, after dinner, by the fish pond, James said his shoelaces were undone, bent down and came up with presenting the ring and said “Will you do me the honour and marry me?” Natasha was totally surprised but did manage to say “yes”, although she couldn’t cry because of the eye surgery! She rang Mum – also pictured - and lots of friends to tell them the good news. They will have a Civil Ceremony and reception at Manor Farm in Henley and Natasha’s attendants will be Bridesmaids Hannah Weller, Kaleigh Glanfield and Shelly Fiander – all friends – together with Flowergirl Lottie, 4. James’ Best Man will be Paul Gear. They would like to honeymoon in the USA and go snow boarding for two weeks. |
November 2015
www.ayeshakphotography.org
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Stunning Bride-to-Be, Kate Sladdin from Bury St. Edmunds, is pictured with fiance Ryan Milne receiving Gift Certificates from Sophie Burr of Burr Bridal in Cambridge, where Kate entered The Wedding Guide’s competition. Kate, a full time Mum to Olivia, 11 weeks, is to marry Ryan, a 3D Printing Marketing Manager for Canon in the UK, in July 2016. They met whilst on holiday in Guatemala where they were travelling – Ryan on a group bus for a month and when they joined another group that is when he met Kate. They liked each other straight away and got chatting and realised they lived in very close proximity to each other – Ryan in Great Barton and Kate in Horringer! They met up again in January after their return from their holidays and decided to go on a Salsa Dancing course and have been together ever since. Ryan proposed in Ickworth Park on Kate’s birthday. Kate lived in a property in the Park and Ryan proposed on Geraldine’s walk, which was rather poignant as this is where Kate had scattered her Mother’s ashes. They went off to a local jewellers to have their ring designed but it was not plain sailing as, when Ryan proposed again and presented the ring to Kate, it had been miscast and was two sizes too big! This was eventually sorted out and the correct ring presented and proposal accepted. They will be married at Barrandov Opera in Needham Market with a Civil Ceremony followed by their reception. Kate will be attended by their daughter Olivia as a Flowergirl plus, as bridesmaids, her sister, Lucy, Cousin Holly and Best Friend Francesca and Maddie, her friend’s daughter. Ryan’s Brest Man will be his brother Simon plus Page Boy Oliver, who is Ryan’s Godson and Ted, Kate’s Godson. They hope to honeymoon with Olivia in Switzerland or one of the Nordic countries. |
October 2015
www.robinsmithphotography.co.uk
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Beautiful Bride-to-Be, Carly Nichols from Norwich, is pictured with fiance Phil Ellingham receiving Gift Certificates from Sue Burgess of Dreams Bridalwear in Norwich, where Carly entered The Wedding Guide’s competition. Carly, an Admin Assistant at Job Worth Doing in Norwich, is to marry Phil, a Technical Services Manager for Job Worth Doing in September 2016. They met at a works Christmas Party. They knew of each other but did not work in the same building or office, and at the Christmas Do a colleague was trying to chat up Carly and Phil intervened and took her for a drink. Phil managed to get Carly’s number and started texting her. They got to know each other really well over a period of time and then started going out. Their first date was a walk on the beach at Cromer’ they bought a house together a year ago and have now been together for three years. Phil proposed whilst they were on holiday in Teneriffe with the waves crashing outside the balcony. They had flown in that night and, after dinner, Phil who had already spoken to Carly’s Dad, went down on one knee and proposed. Carly laughted as she thought he was joking but did realise he meant it and said “yes!” Phil also won “Romantic of the Year with Radio Norwich where he won a trophy and a meal at the Holiday Inn Norwich – North as part of the Local Heroes Awards. They will be married at St. Margaret’s Church, Old Catton followed by a reception at the Norfolk Mead in Coltishall. Carly will be attended by her sister, Lauren and Carly’s daughter Holly and Phil’s Best Man is his best friend Steven Barnes. Mark's Best Man will be his son Steven Manning. They hope to honeymoon in Ibiza.
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August 2015
www.capmoments.photography
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Lovely Bride-to-Be, Helen Laing, originally from the Cotswolds but now based in Dereham, is pictured with fiance Mark Manning, Norfolk born and bred, receiving Gift Certificates from Juliette Bendell, Proprietor of City Brides in Norwich, where Helen entered The Wedding Guide’s competition and is buying her dress and her bridesmaids’ outfits. Helen, an Administrator for Norfolk County Council is to marryMark, a Farm Manager for Hook 2 Sisters Poultry Farm in Dereham in July 2016. Also pictured is Mark’s daughter from a previous marriage, Lucy Manning. After a 17 year relationship, which ended tragically, Helen tried Internet Dating which led to disaster after disaster but on one date the chap failed to turn up to the pub where they were to meet but Mark was there and his mates had also stood him up. They got chatting and Mark asked Helen out – this is quite amazing as Mark is very quiet and shy – but they have been together for over two years. Both Helen and Mark have lost their Dads so their Mums are very much a major part of their lives. Helen’s Mum was coming to Norfolk from the Cotswolds on holiday but Mark secretly arranged for her to come one week early so she could be there when he proposed to Helen in front of both Mums. All four of them went to The Village Inn at Little Melton; Mark told us the Mums were chatting away and would not shut up but eventually they did and Mark asked Helen to marry him. Helen told us she had been expecting it but was still shocked when it happened but, most importantly, did say “Yes.” They will be married in Mattishall Church followed by a Reception at South Green Park, Mattishall. Daughter Lucy will be a bridesmaid plus Helen’s 21 year old best friend, Charlee Leeds, and Mark’s Best Man will be his son Steven Manning. They hope to honeymoon in Ibiza. |
July 2015
www.capmoments.photography.
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Lovely Bride-to-Be, Joanna Goodwin from Ampthill, Beds is pictured with bridesmaids Chrissy, Georgina and Kerry, receiving Gift Certificates from Nicola Weeks, Proprietor of George James Bridal in Bedford, where Joanna entered The Wedding Guide’s competition and is buying her dress. Joanna, a Cashier at Tesco in Flitwick, is to marry fiance Matt Burgoyne, a Mechanic for Copart at Stewartby in May 2017. They have a three and a half year old daughter, Lilly Mae, who will be their Flowergirl at their wedding. They met through mutual friends who are all into Classic Cars. Matt had told his friends that he thought Joanna was out of his league but Joanna liked him from the very start. When they first went out as friends, everyone thought they were a couple. As they got on so well together, things gradually changed and they started going out together on Joanna’s 17th Birthday. Matt bought her a diamond necklace and said he would teach her to drive and things progressed from there. They got engaged on Joanna’s 18th Birthday and been living together for some eight years now. Matt proposed in a Nightclub via the TV screens saying “You are my Soul Mate, Will you Marry Me? Matt xx” Joanna was completely shocked but did say “yes” and took a photo to make sure he remembered the next day! They toasted each other with champagne and had a lovely evening. They will be married at Flitwick Church followed by a reception and would like to honeymoon in Italy. Joanna will be attended by the bridesmaids pictured, Chrissy, her sister, and cousins Georgina Lazaj and Kerry Brown. |
June 2015
www.robinsmithphotography.co.uk
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Stunning Bride-to-Be, Hannah Falgate from Eaton, Norwich is pictured with fiance Ben Hogg receiving Gift Certificates from Kathryn Potter, Proprietor of Love Couture in Norwich. Hannah entered The Wedding Guide’s competition at Love Couture and is having Kathryn design her wedding dress. Hannah, who teaches Music & Dance to Pre-Schoolers and full time Mum to Jazmine, 6 and Joshua, 1, is to marry fiance Ben Hogg, a Freelance Web Developer, in September 2016. They met when they both worked at Mercy Nightclub in Norwich and worked together for some time. When out clubbing with friends at another venue, they got chatting and Ben asked Hannah out on a date. At Hannah’s insistence, their first date was a trip to the cinema to see a Harry Potter film, which Ben absolutely hated and they have never seen another one since! However, things certainly worked out as they have been together for some eight years now and have their two beautiful children Jazmine and Joshua. Ben proposed on the 4th of May this year. He had been spotted ring shopping with one of his male friends but the message got back to Hannah that he had been seen having a drink with a blond! They managed to get over that and lying in bed with a full moon shining outside Ben asked Hannah “Will you marry me?” Hannah said yes but kept him talking about the wedding until 3 am! They will be married at a Civil Ceremony and reception at The Boathouse at Ormesby with Hannah arriving on a boat to the mooring at The Boathouse which leads straight on to the aisle. She will be attended by Joshua as her Page Boy and Jazmine as the “Little” Maid of Honour and her best friend Nicole as the “Big” Maid of Honour. Ben will have his identical twin brother, Matt, as his Best Man. They hope to Honeymoon in Florida and take the children to Disney and also take in some Basketball, as Ben is a big fan. |
May 2015
www.srwp.co.uk
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Lovely Bride-to-Be, Shelley Fenner from Meppershall is pictured with fiance Mark Caswell receiving Gift Certificates from Samantha Weston, Director of Morgan Davies Bridal in Hitchin. Shelley entered The Wedding Guide’s competition at Morgan Davies and has bought her dress from them. Shelley, a Barber, is to marry fiance, Mark, a Mechanical Engineer, in October 2015. They met when Mark was looking for a new house and visited Shelley’s property as it was on the market and went to view it. He met Shelley and it was love at first sight! Mark went on a second viewing and stayed chatting for a couple of hours and asked Shelley out on a date. This was some two years ago and they have been together ever since. Mark proposed in the kitchen with Shelley sitting on the worktop and talking about weddings and marriage. Shelley said “Are you asking?” and Mark said “Yes” and went down on one knee and proposed. Shelley told us she was totally Gobsmacked but did say yes. She went out the very next day with her Mum and chose her dress from Morgan Davies and Mark, ever the romantic, turned up at the shop with the engagement ring which has a beautiful heart in the setting. They will be married at a Civil Ceremony at the Summer House at Shuttleworth followed by their reception at The Mansion House. Shelley will be attended by her little sister, Dawn, two nieces, Megan and Melissa, and Mark’s granddaughter Holly and given away by her Step-Dad Barry. The ring bearer is Mark’s Border Collie, Meggie, who will carry a little pouch with the rings and Mark’s best friend Ian is his Best Man. They will be honeymooning in the Maldives for two weeks. ended by four ushers and his Best Man will be his brother Callum. They will be honeymooning in Mexico. |
April 2015
www.davidgarrettphotography.co.uk
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Stunning Bride-to-Be, Claira Collins from Ipswich is pictured receiving Gift Certificates from Sharna Bird of Just A Day in Ipswich. Claira, accompanied by her Mum Jacqui, entered The Wedding Guide’s competition at Just a Day’s recent, very successful, Justin Alexander Designer Weekend at Seckford Hall in Suffolk. Claira, a Dental Nurse at the Bromley Road Dental Surgery in Colchester, is to marry fiance, Luke Read, in Woodbridge in June 2016. Luke is Ex-Army and among other things, served two tours in Afghanistan and Kenya and left the service just over a year ago, and is now a Personal Trainer. They met via an online dating site, Plenty of Fish, saw each others profiles, started talking and eventually agreed to meet. Their first date as a drink at the Rovers Tye in Colchester; they got on really well and started going out as a couple and have been together for some two years. They went away to London for Claira’s birthday weekend and visited the Aquarium and then Luke asked her if she would like to go on The London Eye. Claira said yes and they went on the Champagne Experience. Whilst she was looking at the view, she turned around and Luke was down on one knee and said “Will you marry me?” Claira told us she was totally shocked, started laughing but did manage to say “yes”. They went out to dinner and had a fabulous weekend seeing the sights and enjoying the moment. They will be married at St. Mary’s Church in Woodbridge followed by their reception at Kesgrave Hall. Claira will be accompanied by four bridesmaids – Luke’s sister Alexis and Claira’s sister Amy, plus Luke’s nieces Livia and Molly – plus Page Boy Harley. Luke will be attended by four ushers and his Best Man will be his brother Callum. They will be honeymooning in Mexico. |
February 2015
www.swrp.co.uk
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Stunning Bride-to-Be, Katharine Day from Rattlesden, Bury St. Edmunds is pictured receiving Gift Certificates from Laura Franklin, Manager of Fleur de Lys Bridal in Saffron Walden, where Katherine entered The Wedding Guide’s competition and is buying her dress. Katharine, a Speech & Language Therapist in main stream schools and Community Clinics, is to marry fiance John Day, a Health & Safety Specialist for UPS covering the East of England, in June 2016.They met through Katharine’s best friend who is John’s sister. They got to know each other and started dating just before Katharine’s second year at University in Manchester and, as they liked each other too much to leave it, John visited every other weekend whilst she finished her degree.They have been together for six and a half years and had been joking about proposing when John said if Katharine kept nagging it would never happen! They went on a weekend trip to the South Downs where John had booked a Shepherd’s hut for them – one of the most romantic things he had ever done. They cooked tea on the camp fire and Katharine turned round to find John down on one knee holding a ring and proposed. Katharine was so taken aback the first thing she said was “are you joking?” He confirmed not and she said “yes”. They rang all their family to tell them and discovered that John had already asked her Dad for her hand as he was a very traditional father.They are currently looking for a venue in the Bury St. Edmunds area and would like a Suffolk Barn for their ceremony/reception and hope to honeymoon somewhere hot as they both work very hard and are looking to relax. |
March 2015
www.davidgarrettphotography.co.uk
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Lovely Bride-to-Be, Vicky Peeling from Barton Mills, Bury St. Edmunds is pictured receiving Gift Certificates from Karen Kane, Owner of Sew Amazing in Beck Row, Suffolk, where Vicky entered The Wedding Guide’s competition and is pictured wearing a dress made especially for the photoshoot by Karen. Also pictured and looking stunning is Vicky’s Mum, Angela Jones. Vicky, a Catering Assistant from Barton Mills is to marry fiance Mark Hayward, a self employed builder in Australia in October this year. They will be travelling throughout Australia for some six weeks before returning to the UK for a blessing and reception at the Riverside Hotel in Mildenhall in November 2015.They met some nine years ago in the Bell Inn in Barton Mills when they were playing darts with friends, got chatting and clicked immediately, got to know each other as friends and then started going out together and have been together ever since. Mark proposed when they came home from a steak night at the pub. Mark said how much he loved Vicky and couldn’t live without her and then asked if “we should go shopping for a wedding ring”. Vicky told him he was drunk and to go to bed and ask her again in the morning! He reiterated the proposal in the morning and they went shopping in Cambridge for a ring.At their Blessing, they will be attended by Keira, Vicky’s niece, and best friend Julie as bridesmaids as well as Caillia, 2 as a Flowergirl. Mark’s Best Man will be his best friend Mark Chambers. |
December 2014
www.davidgarrettphotography.co.uk
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Our delighted winner this month is Joanne Underdown from Lowestoft pictured with fiance Robert Skippen receiving Gift Certificates from Lorraine Roxby of Prima Donna in Norwich, where Joanne has bought her dress. Joanne, a Support Worker with Manor Court in Lowestoft is to marry fiance Robert, a Supervisor for Regal Tanks in Beccles in June 2015. They lived in the same road in Lowestoft, Joanne on the top road and Robert moved into the bottom road and they were introduced by friends. They were friends for some time and then started going out together some 12 years ago. Apparently Robert’s cat pre-empted things as they considered which house to move into together by moving into Joanne’s house, so made the decision for them! Apparently they had discussed getting married and Robert did not actually propose but on Joanne’s birthday he said to her “Here’s the ring” and gave it to her. They then went out for a celebratory meal with their children Chloe and Thomas. They will be married at St. Michael’s Church, Oulton Broad followed by a reception at Ivy House Hotel. Daughter Chloe, Joanne’s sister and friends Kerry and Gemma will be bridesmaids and son Thomas a Page Boy and Robert will be attended by one of his best friends as his Best Man. They hope to honeymoon at Fynn Valley in Ipswich for a relaxing break. |
