Grace and Ben celebrated their big day with a monochrome theme at Brockencote Hall Hotel

Grace and Ben met at a birthday party. “I’d just returned from Las Vegas, and Ben was travelling there in a few months, so we were chatting about things to do and places to go for the majority of the barbecue,” says Grace. “After the party, I added Ben on Facebook. After several attempts and last-minute cancellations, we finally went on our first date 18 months later. The thing that attracted me to Ben was his sense of humour. I left the date with my jaw aching from how much I’d smiled and laughed the entire evening.”

For Grace, the proposal was a complete surprise. “He popped the question three weeks into lockdown in April 2020,” shares the bride. “Every year, my family have a big Easter egg hunt, and the more obscure the hiding place, the better. I was sad that we weren’t able to get together, so Ben suggested we do our own hunt, get dressed up and make the most of the day. After finding my Easter egg, I realised it was already open, and there was a small letter inside the egg telling me to turn around. Behind me, Ben was down on one knee in our garden. To make it even more special, he had FaceTimed my parents so they were able to be there (virtually), and he recorded the whole thing from our bedroom window, so we can look back on it forever.”

Grace and Ben's contacts

Ceremony venue, St Mary's Church, www.stmaryskingswinford.org.uk 
Reception venue, Brockencote Hall Hotel, www.brockencotehall.com
Photographer, Mat James Photography, www.matjamesphotography.co.uk 
Videographer, Bigger Boat Film, www.biggerboatfilm.com
Bride's dress and accessories, Wedding Belles of Four Oaks, www.weddingbellesbridal.co.uk 
Groom's suit, Peter Posh Formal Suit Hire, www.peterposh.co.uk 
Bridesmaids' dresses, ASOS
Flowergirl's dress, David's Bridal, www.davidsbridal.co.uk 
Hair stylist, Hair by Hannah Taylor, www.hannahtaylorhair.com 
Make-up artist, Jessica Ava Makeup Artist, www.jessicaava.com 
Flowers, The Secret Garden Weddings, www.thesecretgardenweddings.co.uk 
Transport, Class Act Wedding Cars, www.facebook.com/classactweddinghire 
Stationery and styling, White Fern Weddings, www.whitefernweddings.co.uk 
Entertainment, Chamberlain Events, www.chamberlainevents.com and Strictly ABBA, www.facebook.com/strictlyabbatribute