Categories: Venues

Real Wedding: Abigail and Matthew's Outdoor Inspired Wedding at Whinstone View

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Teenage sweethearts Abigail and Matthew were both members of Redcar’s young firefighter association back in 2003 when then first started dating.
“It was 13th August 2014, Matt being his spontaneous self-asked if we could go for a late walk on the beach with fish and chips. I remember laughing at him as it was quite hot out yet he put on his big winter coat. As we were walking back home along the beach Matt started drawing in the sand with the help our two-year-old son, Bobby. I walked ahead and left them playing when Matt shouted me. When I turned around he was down on one knee inside a big love heart in the sand proposing! Of course, I didn’t hesitate in saying ‘yes’ as the dog walkers around us started clapping…
I later found out he’d worn his winter coat as he hid the ring box in his hood as he knew I’d have seen it in his pocket and didn’t want to ruin the surprise.

We enjoy the outdoors and spend time walking, biking, camping and taking Bobby on adventures to the lake district. We originally saw photos of Whinstone View on social media and knew it suited our personalities and the vintage theme we were wanting.
The theme for the wedding was everything that me and Matt loved rolled into one day. We both have a love for the Lake District, subtle colours and vintage accessories and wanted to incorporate the outdoors as much as possible.
Family has always been an important part of mine and Matt’s life and unfortunately between us we’ve lost special people that we wanted to be included in the day. I decided to make a memory tree which could be at the ceremony and reception. I had a sign made which read ‘We knew you’d be here today if heaven wasn’t so far away’. The tree was decorated with fairy lights, hanging hearts, a porcelain angel and white hanging angel wings and I pegged a photo of each relative to the branches. It was really emotional for some of our guests and also for us, but it was a way we could include them and have them there.

Matt’s brother Tom was best man and he’s known for being a joker; it’s fair to say me and Matt were both a little nervous at what was going to be included but his fantastic use of poetry and knowledge of me and Matt blew us away. However, we were totally unprepared for a poem he read that was written by Matt’s dad, Stuart. It was written from the view of our four-year-old son Bobby, who has special needs and is non-verbal. This part of the day was made memorable because we were able to hear what someone believed Bobby’s feelings were towards us. It was very emotional and had us all in tears!
Don’t wish the planning away. It’s easy to get stressed out over planning a wedding, looking back it’s so important to enjoy this stage and the build-up to the big day as it arrives before you know it!
Remember the day is about you both as a couple, don’t try to please everybody else. Let your personalities shine through the day and give yourselves a day to remember.”