Childhood sweethearts

Laura and Rob tied the knot 20 years after they first laid eyes on each other. Images by Kim Hawkins Photography

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Early days…

A true childhood romance, Laura and Rob met when they were just five years old. "We have been good friends since, even through the 'boy hates girl' stage," explains Rob. "There was always something special about Laura. To tell you the truth, I fell in love with her when we were 14, around the time she used to help me with my paper round. I didn't let on how I felt about her until we left school though, and it's been happy times ever since."

The proposal…

In 2006, the couple booked a luxurious holiday to the Dominican Republic. During their time there, they took a trip to a deserted island called Saona. "It was such a beautiful, amazing place," remembers Laura. "We went for a walk along the white sand, and sat down to take in our surroundings.
"Rob told me how much he loved me, before getting down on one knee and asking me to marry him. It was such a perfect place to do it, so personal and private. I was completely shocked - I couldn't stop looking at the ring, and Rob had to ask me again as I still hadn't answered him. He swung me round and put the ring on my finger - it was the nicest feeling in the world and I can't explain how happy I felt." Laura and Rob toasted their engagement with the only alcoholic drinks available on Saona - ice-cold beers!

The venues…

The couple wanted to get married in a nearby church, St Mary's in Hemel Hempstead, so they were looking for a reception venue close by. The Ramada Hemel Hempstead with its marquee ticked all the boxes, particularly for Rob who was after a late-licensed bar.

The dress…

"Buying my wedding dress wasn't at all like you see in the movies," says Laura. "I had ordered the dress that I loved, and had my fittings. But when I went to collect it four weeks before the big day, I noticed a hole in the skirt and I was horrified. The shop attempted to fix it, but I wasn't happy with the result." So, Laura had four weeks to find a new dress, and after trying on many styles with no luck, somebody recommended Confetti, a shop in Tring. It was her final shot, so Laura arranged an appointment with the owner, Sarah. "She was so helpful from start to finish, and I fell in love with the first dress I picked out. Someone in another shop told me I wouldn't feel the same way about a second dress, but I did, and I knew instantly that it was the one for me."
Choosing the bridesmaids' dresses was a piece of cake in comparison. The girls - best friend Hannah and cousin Lauren - wore full-length lilac chiffon gowns by Alfred Angelo.
Rob wore a traditional morning jacket in black, with grey pinstriped trousers, a cream waistcoat and a lilac cravat. Rob's ushers were Laura's brother Lewis and a close friend of the couple, CJ, who they have known since primary school. They wore morning suits like Rob's, with cream waistcoats and cravats.

The flowers…

The country-style flower arrangements were a mix of lilac, pink and white roses, freesias and sweet peas, and the men's buttonholes consisted of single white roses with a sprig of lavender.

The decorative touches…

For the colour scheme, Rob and Laura took inspiration from their invitations, which were lilac and white. "We both agreed that lilac would be a nice, summery colour to have," says Laura.
The table centrepieces were vases filled with honesty flowers, which stood on round mirrors dotted with lilac and silver butterflies. Heart-shaped mints and pieces of rock tied in lilac and white organza bags sat at each guest's place as a favour for them to take home.

Top tips…

"Have an emergency box," she says. "A lovely friend gave me a shoe box filled with all sorts of things from tablets to safety pins. It got used quite a few times on the night!"

The honeymoon…

Laura and Rob celebrated their new status as a married couple by honeymooning in Devon with their son. "We hired a beautiful cottage with 10 acres of land and a lake. It was so peaceful, and we spent our days relaxing in the grounds and visiting quaint little villages and beaches," says Laura.

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