Vicki & Dave
A 30 year chance meet transformed into the perfect match for Wakefield couple Vicki and Dave, who got married at Woodstock Weddings in York.
Dave and Vicki knew of each other from college 30 years ago, where they had a fleeting meeting on the same course until Vicki left. Dave stayed on at college and later became a sound designer in a theatre in Wakefield. The couple’s paths would continue to cross over the years as Vicki took part in amateur dramatics and musicals at the same theatre.
The couple both had similar friendship groups and began chatting after finding themselves single at the same time. Vicki and Dave started dating and moved in very quickly soon after.
The Proposal
They got engaged in April 2023; ‘it felt right, although our relationship wasn’t that long, we’ve known each other for so long and had so much in common, it was the next natural progression for us,’ Vicki says. ‘We’re a bit older as well and thought it wasn’t really worth wasting our time.’
Dave had booked a surprise for Vicki’s birthday weekend at a hot tub lodge. The couple visited York for the day and Dave took her to the lodge afterwards.
‘I sent her to the car for something I’d left behind the car seats, she came back with a bottle of champagne asking what it was for, turned round and I was on one knee. We’d only been there 5 minutes but I wanted to get it over and done with as nerves were kicking in’.
Happily Vicki said yes and the couple spent their first night together in the lodge, followed by friends who came and celebrated the next day.
The Wedding Planning
The couple began planning their wedding straight away, starting with the venue; ‘Dave’s mum passed away 10 years ago, and my parents are in their 70’s. It sounds a bit morbid but we didn’t want to wait ages,so thought we’d do it in a decent time frame,’ Vicki says.
The couple found Woodstock Weddings at their second venue appointment; it ticked every box from the design aesthetic and layout, which included a purpose built cocktail lounge in the old stables.
After an initial panic with their videographer closing their business, rescue came in the form of LiamJoseph Photography & Film who were fabulous.
When dress shopping, Vicki went with one of her bridesmaids who recommended a few boutiques. After failing at the first boutique, the pair visited Elite Bridal in Castleford where Vicki found the gown of her dreams but with sleeves that would need altering. The team at Elite were happy to do all the alterations and told Vicki that her gown would be one of a kind. Aside from her mum and one bridesmaid, no one else would see the gown until the big day, a nice surprise for the guests.
The Wedding Day
The night before the wedding, the couple stayed in a local hotel around the corner from the venue, with some of their wedding party, friends and family. After a meal altogether, Vicki and Dave parted ways ready to make their way to Woodstock weddings for the big day.
Tom Walters Photography & Film arrived to photograph the groom and groomsmen getting ready, and then came to the venue to capture the bride.
Vicki and Dave couldn’t praise their photographer highly enough; ‘We love Tom, he was the first thing we sorted after we booked the venue. He was so down to earth and we clicked instantly with him. He was great fun and did everything you could possibly need to put you at ease. He was great at getting everyone organised for shots; when we first met Tom and had a zoom with him, he told us about his package. We really liked him because his package was unusual and had stuff other photographers don’t offer. He takes photos of all the guests and while we were having the breakfast, he printed them off, put them in frames and gave them out to everyone as a wedding favour. He also brought a big screen TV, and at the evening do, he’d put photos taken during the day up on screen as a slideshow for guests to see it. Tom was so organised on the day but not bossy, he made people feel comfortable and was fabulous.’
The happy couple had a celebrant led wedding ceremony, after doing the legal bit a few weeks earlier. ‘Tom offered to take photos after the registry office, and took us to the Hepworth gallery in Wakefield, so we have extra photos from that day. It was really kind of his to offer to do that, he didn’t have to’, Vicki says.
‘We knew we wanted a celebrant for the wedding as we wanted to be more personal and make more of it,’ Vicki says. Vicki and Dave met their celebrant Deborah at one of the first wedding fayres they visited and got to know her quite well.
Deborah put together a meaningful ceremony with candle lighting for lost loved ones, and relating their marriage to things in the theatre during the reading.
Dave is a huge Star Wars fan, which Vicki used as a perfect opportunity to give a surprise.
‘I had found a classical piano version of the Star Wars theme music and kept it a secret, only me and the celebrant knew’. As Vicki began to walk down the aisle, guests didn’t realise what it was at first, Dave however took one look at Vicki and burst into tears.
When asked about their favourite part of the day, Dave said, ‘seeing everyone’s reaction to the day, because one of the things that was really important was seeing friends we’d not seen for ages, but really enjoying themselves, we wanted people to take away the memory of being to an amazing wedding.
For me, it was seeing everyone that you love in one place at the same time because that never happens does it, all at once, I can remember there were points when we were sat at the top table, it was so nice to see people who we thought would get on but hadn’t met, sat chatting away, that was lovely,’ Vicki says.
Food is a big thing for Vicki and Dave, so they paid particular attention to a menu that would get their guests talking. Using the venue caterer, they created a bespoke menu featuring canapes and anti pasti board to start, followed by an american eats style main with pulled pork, chicken tenders, onion rings and frickles (pickles in batter). Dessert was a range of four different choices, then in the evening, Vicki and Dave even had a pizza truck serving ‘the best pizzas I’ve ever eaten’, as Dave says.
‘I was quite annoyed actually as I only had one slice of pizza because I was still quite full,’ Vicki says.
The food was so good, guests commented to the happy couple that they had been ruined for wedding food at future weddings.
When the first dance came, Vicki and Dave danced to ‘You do something to me’ by Paul Weller as both are huge fans of the artist. In fact at the time of writing this, the couple had been to see Paul Weller 2 weeks prior, and he played their wedding song, which was a special moment for the couple.
The entertainment comprised of live music from Viva La Vintage, followed by a live band at the evening reception.
The happy couple even thought of guests who might like to take a break from the party atmosphere. A games area was laid out on the mezzanine, featuring board games and cards for those who wanted some chill out time.
When asked if they’d give advice to other couples getting married, Vicki says, ‘Don’t get stressed about the tiny details, no one cares on the day. Be happy with how you look and be comfortable, don’t sweat the small stuff’.
Dave says, ‘Take your time with the planning and on the day don’t rush round thinking “ooh I need to speak to them. Don’t get too hung up on doing things that are expected.’
Vicki and Dave haven’t yet booked their honeymoon but are saving up for a dual city US holiday, visiting New York and then venturing to Disneyworld in Florida so Dave can live his Star Wars dream.
List of Suppliers
Venue: Woodstock Weddings and Events, York
Videographer: LiamJoseph Photography and Videography
Photographer: Tom Walters Photography
Celebrant: Deborah Page at True to You Celebrancy
Singer: Viva La Vintage (Abbi-Kaye Ellison)
Band: New York Royals
Dress: Elite Bridals, Castleford
Suits: Skopes, Castleford
Hair: Kelly Cuss
Food: F4D Catering, Towton
Evening Food: Love My Pizza, Bradford
Rings: Smooch Wedding Rings
Photo Booth: Picture Blast Events