Ashleigh & Jack's Real Wedding at High House
A car park first meet, a Turkey proposal twist, and the "wrong" dress that turned out to be exactly right
Some love stories start over coffee. Ashleigh and Jack's started in a Tesco car park, with Jack revving his engine to show off. Cheeky, maybe, but it worked. Years later, Jack pulled off a proposal twist of his own, convincing Ashleigh a family trip to Turkey included a reluctant photoshoot he "didn't want to do", only to get down on one knee once the cameras were rolling. The pair said "I do" at High House Weddings, an Essex wedding venue, surrounded by their nearest and dearest, with six-year-old flower girl Daisy stealing plenty of hearts along the way.
For her wedding dress, Ashleigh almost walked straight past Jacqueline by Justin Alexander. She wasn't sold on the trial run, telling stylist Megan it wasn't the one. Then she put it on properly, caught her reflection, and knew instantly she'd spoken too soon. A one-shoulder silhouette with a bow she hadn't expected to fall for, paired with a pixie veil that combined, made her feel like royalty.
Ashleigh & Jack's Real Wedding Q&A
Here's Ashleigh, in her own words, on how she put together her dream wedding at High House Weddings.
1. How did you two meet?
We met at a Tesco car park when we were younger. Strange, I know, but Jack was showing off in his car, being a cheeky lad, and I thought he was cute haha!
2. How did you get engaged?
Jack took me and my daughter with my closest friends and family to Turkey. He hates having photos done, so he planned a photoshoot so I wouldn't clock on. He pretended he didn't want to do it, but by the end of the photo session, he proposed to me. It was all such a shock and surprise. It was beautiful.
3. What was your favourite moment(s) from the wedding?
Seeing Jack at the end of that aisle looking handsome as always, tearful with love, and just knowing that I get to be with this man for the rest of my life. Also having my beautiful girl, who is 6, be the best flower girl – she looked stunning. All the guests that were there were honestly our nearest and dearest, and we care so deeply about them all, so to have them see and share our special day meant the most!
4. Tell us all about your wedding dress. What details do you love? How did it make you feel?
When I first saw my dress on the trial run, I said to Megan, "Nope, that is not for me!" I like simplicity but with elegance, and the massive bow was just not what I imagined. After putting it on and looking in the mirror, I cried happy tears. I just knew instantly that it was the one. I love the one-shoulder, the material, but surprisingly most of all, the bow! I felt like a royal. I felt beautiful and just out of this world. It felt unique, nothing I had ever seen before in a wedding dress.
5. What was the general decor for your big day?
General decor was natural colours: whites, baby pinks and green foliage. I wanted beautiful but simple decor, nothing too bold.
6. Do you have any advice for future Bellissima brides?
Try on the dress that you think is not going to be your ideal dress. You'll surprise yourself and may fall in love with the one!
7. Do you have any local suppliers you would like to recommend?
Venue: High House Weddings
Dress: Jacqueline by Justin Alexander with a Pixie veil, via Bellissima Weddings
Florist: Devi Flowers UK
Makeup Artist: @_makeupbysimone
Hair Stylist: Divinely Dolled by Ruby Bridal
Video/Photography: Wedding Video Essex
Bridesmaid Dresses: La Closer de Chanel
Suits: Suit Culture (Colchester)
Stationery: @_qtdesigns
8. How was your Bellissima experience?
10/10! From start to finish I enjoyed every visit and was always made welcome and felt so comfortable being around all staff. Love to you all, because without you beautiful people I wouldn't have had my dream dress that suited the day, theme, venue and my personality.
