Daniel & Rachel's Wedding | UKbride

he couple first set eyes upon each other at work, "Daniel is a Doctor and I am a Nurse; Daniel was on a year-long rotation when I first set eyes on him back in October 2003. We finally got together after a night out in July 2004 and I’ve never looked back!"

Five years down the line, Daniel proposed. "He had bought us tickets to New York by way of a Christmas present. We flew out on Valentine’s Day and each day we were there, I wondered if he would ask! We reached the last night and he didn’t ask me, but after breakfast on the morning that we were due to return home, he went down on one knee and proposed very formally, even asking my father! It was all very romantic, and after I accepted we went ice-skating on the frozen lake in Central Park!"

They then got busy planning the wedding, "Once the venue was booked we looked through lots of magazines searching for ideas and the rest fell into place." Luckily they both had similar idea's, "We both wanted a civil wedding, nothing too big. Our ethos was simple and classy with little fuss! We had originally set the number of guests at 60 but, as with such things, we ended up with a few more than that! Daniel had very strong opinions about eschewing no meringues, tiaras and veils in favour of something elegant and classy!

"I had my dress made having visited many places yet finding myself unable to find just what I wanted" explained Rachel. "My dress was made out of silk, it was very plain and simple but had a lovely long train that I could take off in the evening as I envisaged"

We went ice-skating on the frozen lake in Central Park

Choosing the bridesmaid's was easy, "Susanne and Amanda - both had been very close friends for many years. They both know me very well and both mean a lot to me. Hannah, Daniel’s niece was our flower girl - she was an absolute star and enjoyed the fact that she felt like a princess! Kieran was our page boy – he was fantastic too, carrying the rings and looking very proud to do so.

Daniel's choice was "My brother Jon. His speech was fantastic. He is my only brother and I was his best man so he returned the favour and was exceptional! Nick, Rachel’s brother was an Usher. He did an excellent job - alongside Kieran – in making sure everyone was where they should be and received the Order of Service.

On the day of the wedding Daniel expained, "I experienced no nerves whatsoever, until Rachel was 20 minutes late at the church!", Rachel on the other hand, "no nerves at all for me, I was just delighted knowing that I was going to be marrying Daniel. Walking down the aisle was so emotional; standing and waiting with my dad made me shed a few tears, I was just so happy! Walking down the aisle with my father was a beautiful moment and seeing Daniel when he turned around was everything I felt it would be: the best feeling ever!"

"The whole day was memorable! I particularly remember the excitement I felt when my bridemaids, Mum and our hairdresser were all getting ready, it was so much fun. The fantastic feeling I had walking down the aisle will always remain in my mind, and my father and brother’s kind words were extremely memorable - I will never forget them. I especially know how hard it was for my father to stand up and speak; I’m so proud of him for that.

"Daniel’s speech was also lovely, I knew exactly why I had married him! The best man’s speech was hilarious… he managed to incorporate a joke in about my shopping habit! We also had a band play in the evening and Daniel had bought some Blue’s Brothers black hats and glasses, these went down a treat and I can just remember everyone dancing with them on!

"Finally, the fireworks in the evening were stunning… I remember Daniel and I both telling each other that it was the best day of our lives!

"We had the most amazing honeymoon in San Francisco, New Zealand and Hong Kong. We were away for a total of three weeks, and it was fantastic. We visited some beautiful places and Rachel dared to complete a sky-dive from 15,000 feet!

"I'd just like to thank our mothers and fathers" continues Rachel, " their efforts were very much appreciated, whilst Susanne and Amanda were invaluable with all their help and for a very memorable Hen weekend in Newcastle. Daniel would also like to thank all his friends and his best man for the fantastic stag party in Bristol!

The couple are loving every minute of married life, busy in preparation for their first child.