Feeling the chemistry

Susan and Bob met in a science class at school nearly 10 years ago. Pictures by Sarah Critchlow

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Early days…

Twenty-four-year-old doctor Susan, and Bob, 25, a ship broker, met one another at the tender age of 16. "We were in a science class together at Hove Park School, and you could say that there was a certain 'chemistry' between us," laughs Susan.

The proposal…

Although Susan had an inkling that a proposal was coming, she was still ecstatic when Bob proposed on a day out in London. "At that time we were living in London, and on our day off we decided to take a boat down the Thames to Greenwich because it's one of our favourite places in the capital," says Susan.
"Bob proposed to me on the meridian line. It was a damp day, but he still got down on one knee and didn't seem to mind that it was soggy afterwards! Then we went out for a lovely meal together."

Hen and stag parties…

Susan decided to celebrate with her bridesmaids in Belfast. "We had a fantastic time," she says, "although one of the bridesmaids overslept after her nightshift at work, and very nearly didn't make the flight. She arrived with seconds to spare, just as we were boarding the plane."
Bob opted for two stag parties - one in London with his work colleagues and another with 20 of his friends in Sussex. With his friends, Bob celebrated with plenty of beer and food. "He ended up being handcuffed - as you do - before heading off to the local pub for more food, drinking and dancing," says Susan.

The venues…

Susan and Bob decided that if they weren't going to marry in a church, they wanted something really spectacular. They chose Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex because Susan has fond memories of spending time there as a child. "We chose The Horseshoe Inn as our reception venue because we wanted to hold our party somewhere where our guests could stay. Luckily it's just around the corner from the castle," says Susan. "As soon as we walked inside we knew it was perfect. The function room is also known as the Castle Room, and is decorated in a medieval style."

The dress…

Susan went for a classic bridal look with a strapless gown from Patricia Diamond's Bridal Suite in Shoreham-by-Sea. Although the dress didn't have a train, it was embellished with delicate detailing across the waistline, and pretty embroidery and beaded flower appliqué on the bodice, skirt and on the back of the gown.
"I accessorised with a floor-length veil edged with crystals," says Susan. "I chose the veil because initially I was torn between two dress choices. Susan also wore a flower-design pearl and crystal tiara, and completed her look with small crystal earrings, a pearl pendant and a pearl and crystal bracelet."
Bob's traditional black morning suit was hired from Moss Bros. He wore grey pinstriped trousers with a grey top hat, and finished the look with an ivory waistcoat and a red cravat. To keep with the colour scheme, Bob also wore a cream rose buttonhole, while the groomsmen wore red roses.
Helping Susan on the day were her two friends Becky and Gemma, who she met while at medical school. They wore matching red and ivory knee-length dresses bought from Monsoon, and accessorised with ivory pashminas and silk flowers in their hair.

The decorative touches…

The couple kept their decorative touches in keeping with the red colour scheme, but also went for a love heart theme. "I knew our florist very well, and explained that I had seen a theme I liked incorporating love hearts," says Susan. "He was able to include these in our flower decorations by using gold wire in the shape of hearts."
Bob and Susan found both function rooms were decorated beautifully already, so they focused on dressing the tables. Each table had a cream tablecloth with a red runner and red tea lights, small red favour bags and ivory and gold stationery on them.

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