This real wedding at Newton Hall between two adventure-junkies has us swooning for summertime soirées. 

Adventure Awaits

Reece and Taya had just started rowing at the same rowing club in the autumn of 2016, but it wasn’t until a Christmas night out that their romance really set sail.

Smoothly asking for Taya’s number after displaying some shrewd dance moves, Reece took the plunge and asked the happy-go-lucky girl if she’d ‘like to go get some food’ (a sentence she likes to remind him of every so often!).

She duly accepted, and admits that during that first date in Yarm, she had never felt so comfortable with someone – igniting the beginning of this perfect pair’s romance.

What followed was a whirlwind of dates, from indoor skiing to hiking 10 miles up CatBells in Keswick (rather you than us…) and Taya and Reece soon realised they had the same zest for life.

This was confirmed when they admitted their love for one another after cycling 3000ft through the Peak District.

Lofty Proposals

Being very outdoorsy people, it came as no surprise that Reece asked Taya to marry him during a walk in the Lake District.

The couple had booked a weekend away in the lakes for Taya’s birthday, and Reece suggested that they walk up CatBells again, just as they did on their third date.

As the rain cascaded down, Taya was in two minds whether to go – but when Reece knelt down at the top of the mountain overlooking the glorious Derwentwater Valley and asked her to be his wife, it was a good job she did! 

Newton Nuptial

Running with the adventure theme, their vision for the wedding was to incorporate the great outdoors while keeping their guests relaxed and comfortable.

For that mantra, there was no better option than Newton Hall.

This botanical paradise on the Northumberland coastline ticked every one of Taya and Reece’s boxes – plenty of outdoor spaces, a rustic yet refined style, and a real home-from-home feel.

The day was a relaxed and comfortable affair with the couple’s families and friends coming together to celebrate in true harmony.

With the beach a mere mile down the road, Taya and Reece posed for some of the most majestic post-marriage photos we’ve seen – testament to the talents of their photographer RGM Photo. Look at that backdrop!

The guests enjoyed an informal wedding breakfast – reminiscent of the couple’s laid back nature – where they mingled and tucked into a delicious BBQ spread.

But the real star of the foodie show was the fish & chips served in the evening – giving the 120 guests plenty energy for the Celidh band that would keep them jigging long into the summer night.

The Dress

While the preparations were very much dealt with together, Reece left Taya to her own devices when it came to choosing her dress for the big day.

But it wasn’t exactly a streamline process. After trying on 28 different gowns in five different boutiques, Taya began to think she would never find the minimal boho-style dress of her dreams.

And that was indeed the case. In fact, it wasn’t until she tried on a highly embellished, sparkly tulle dress in Blue Bow Bridal which was nothing like what she initially had in mind, that she felt she’d found the one.

Imperfect Perfect I Dos

From tears of emotion to tears of laughter, the pair’s funniest moment of the day was, perhaps surprisingly, their wedding ceremony.

During the vows, Reece said ‘I do’ too soon, not just once, but twice. Talk about a keen bean!

The whole room was sent into fits of laughter and the moment helped to make the occasion relaxed and informal – just as they wanted it.

Words from the Bride

“I know everyone says this, but cater the day to yourselves as a priority, and your guests second.

They will want your day to be everything you want it to be, and will have a great time if you are.”

“Finally don’t forget while you’re planning your wedding why you are getting married – it’s so so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of wedding Pinterest boards, everyone else’s opinions and end up spending a fortune on things you won’t even see on your big day.

Keep it to your taste, and remember you’re marrying your best friend. The wedding is just a big party to celebrate your love to each other!”

Amen to that.

For more real life romances and wedding inspo, visit our dedicated Real Weddings section or browse the pages of our glossy magazine – available to download now. 

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