From Dubai to England, This Real Wedding Story Will Melt Your Heart | ewmoda
 

From Dubai to England, This Real Wedding Story Will Melt Your Heart

*grabs tissues*

Posted on

2 April 2017

Real Weddings: David Roberts & Rebecca Fielding

Sansom Photography

In our 'Real Weddings' section, we bring you the stories behind the real life weddings of Dubai-ites. Today's story, about the union of David, 30, and Rebecca, 24, is sure to melt your heart. Make sure you read till the very end.

If you would like your wedding to be featured on ewmoda, email your story to [email protected]

How our story began

Far from your typical "love at first sight" story, David and I actually met in our local pub while both in somewhat of an inebriated state. He claims my short, bleached blonde pixie haircut caught his attention, yet for me, the attraction came much later. We arranged a double date with our best friends at the time - who of course, ditched us - but I was really keen to chow down on some nachos at the expense of someone else.

Cut to a few hours later and we'd laughed, talked, shared embarrassing stories and even shared our first kiss in the back of the cinema room. We walked out of the movie hand-in-hand, and we haven't let go since.

Real Weddings: David Roberts & Rebecca Fielding

David and Rebecca

The move to Dubai

When we first became engaged in 2013, after three years of being together, the wedding I originally planned in my mind was a far cry from the big day we eventually enjoyed.

But in 2014, our plans changed. David got a job in Dubai. And since unmarried couples cannot live together in the UAE, we had to legalise our marriage. We were married – without ever having our wedding day.

My Tiffany-themed wedding I had always wanted turned into a 15-minute affair at Leeds Town Hall, with a casual meal after. Almost three full years passed by and in that time life’s most challenging moments threw themselves at us, including the passing of my little sister, Jessica.

After spending a bittersweet Christmas with our families in 2015, David and I realised that it was time to plan the day we had always wanted, that would include all of our loved ones and closest friends.

Real Weddings: David Roberts & Rebecca Fielding

Rebecca and David

Styling a winter wedding in Blighty - The venue

Flash-forward to December 23rd, 2016 and we were finally – and officially – Mr and Mrs Roberts.

We both wanted our day to be filled with personality. Everything from the Groomsmen’s socks, to my Bridal bouquet, to our exit song, to the beer pong table, to the gifts given to our loved ones… The entire day was exactly how we wanted it, with many aspects veering from the traditional route.

Sandburn Hall in York, UK, was our venue, which with the help of their great team, two room changes, lots of beverages and music, we were able to have our civil ceremony, wedding breakfast and evening reception all in the same space.

Real Weddings: David Roberts & Rebecca Fielding

Sansom Photography

Real Weddings: David Roberts & Rebecca Fielding

Sansom Photography

The bridal party

The Groomsmen’s outfits were classic, black suits, with bow-ties and braces to match. David had three Best Men… Why have one when you can have three? As well as both the Father of the Bride and Father of the Groom and two ushers.

My bridal party was made up of my Matron of Honour, Maid of Honour and two bridesmaids, both Mother of the Bride and Groom, as well as our niece as Flower Girl. Each donned their own chosen dress – while all navy and floor-length, they each picked a style that suited their personal tastes and figures perfectly. Our Flower Girl’s dressed mirrored mine.

Real Weddings: David Roberts & Rebecca Fielding

Sansom Photography

The aisle

The aisle was lined with candles and fir leaves, which I walked down with my Father by my side to a softer, piano version of the traditional Bridal March. While guests waited, David had selected the theme tunes of our favourite films and TV programmes; Star Wars, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Indiana Jones and Love Actually, which guests enjoyed humming along to before I walked down the plank (joking).

The venue’s tall ceiling and beams providing space for twinkling fairy lights to illuminate the hall. The large, open windows provided amazing views, acting as an almost-transparent barrier to the elements outside.

Real Weddings: David Roberts & Rebecca Fielding

Sansom Photography

The songs

At the end of the ceremony, guests threw confetti as we exited the hall… With the hum of Roosted Root’s Send Me on My Way and then, David Bowie’s Heroes echoing all around.

Our wedding day finished after endless games of beer pong, our first dance – which was of course, backed by the classic voice of Prince singing Purple Rain - a Father-Daughter dance, a bouquet toss AND a garter toss and then to top the night off, fireworks and sparklers before hours of dancing, after which everyone boarded their coaches home, a little worse for wear, at 1am.

Real Weddings: David Roberts & Rebecca Fielding

Sansom Photography

Real Weddings: David Roberts & Rebecca Fielding

Sansom Photography

The flowers

Our floral arrangements were simple but in theme with the season: gypsophila, white roses, fir leaves and pinecones tossed effortlessly across the dining tables, and also displayed eloquently along the top table.

Real Weddings: David Roberts & Rebecca Fielding

Sansom Photography

The favours

Guests were given Christmas crackers as favours, which made for some funny images of them all with Christmas hats upon their heads!

Real Weddings: David Roberts & Rebecca Fielding

Sansom Photography

The cake

I’ve always joked that our final colour scheme was inspired by David’s love of the UK football team, Leeds United. With avid fans in the Groomsmen party, each wore LUFC socks and even our wedding cake was split in two: one half with the navy and gold colours, and the other with each Leeds United badge from over the years.

Real Weddings: David Roberts & Rebecca Fielding

Sansom Photography

The stationary

Being rather Photoshop-savvy, I designed everything in terms of stationary. From the save the date cards, to the main invitations, wedding programmes, table seating plans, table names, and even our poster guest book – inspired by traditional Quaker posters.

Real Weddings: David Roberts & Rebecca Fielding

Sansom Photography

My dress, hair and makeup

My dress was bespoke and handmade by the incredible Barbaranne, the woman behind House of Moirai. From the very beginning of the design process, I was involved and felt comfortable enough to work with Barbaranne to achieve the dress I’d always dreamed of.

The skirt was tulle, with a French Chantilly lace bodice and sleeves, open back to reveal my body’s artwork, and hand appliquéd petals and gold thread completed the entire look.

With a lengthy tulle veil to match and gold heels from ALDO, I was far from any traditional bride. Add the red lipstick into that, along with my bleached blonde hair, we had achieved a look that was entirely, typically me.

Real Weddings: David Roberts & Rebecca Fielding

Sansom Photography

Real Weddings: David Roberts & Rebecca Fielding

Sansom Photography

Real Weddings: David Roberts & Rebecca Fielding

Sansom Photography

The most terrifying moment

The most terrifying moment was not planning a wedding from abroad, or the panic of not having arranged transportation for our guests in time, or even the delivery of our cake topper.

Instead, it was that gut feeling of incompleteness before beginning my pursuit down the aisle – yes, my sister Jessica, who passed away in 2015, was not there. Instead of my father bursting into tears, it was I that couldn’t keep them down for those few early walks.

Despite her absence, I made it to the end of the aisle to meet David. Looking at our images now, I feel like all of the pictures captured by the absolutely talented duo behind Sansom Photography, truly show the love, emotion and relief in both us and our family members who had waited so long to celebrate our day with us.

The stars were shining brightly over the venue in the evening, however, with one particularly brighter than the others.

Real Weddings: David Roberts & Rebecca Fielding

Sansom Photography