The future Mrs Sophie Wint was enjoying a drink with friends in Hanley in September 2008 when she spotted the man she was to go on to marry.

Over the next few months they bumped into each other a few times, because they had mutual friends, and eventually swapped numbers just before Christmas. The pair, who now live in Cheadle, had their first date on January 3 – a trip to the cinema to see the film Madagascar.

28-year-old Sophie said: “I picked the film but there wasn’t much on at the time. I probably enjoyed it more than Karl.

“The film wasn’t on for long so we went for a drink at my local pub afterwards. That was our only date really because when he dropped me off that night, Karl asked me to be his girlfriend. He always says I was quite casual and replied with something along the lines of ‘Yeah I suppose so’.

“Because we lived so close, just a few minutes’ drive, it was easy to see each other often. We went to a Derby football match right after our first date – he’s a big fan – and then I met his parents within a week.”

After three years together, 32-year-old Karl popped the question while they were on holiday in Egypt in September 2011.

“The proposal was a surprise. We had been out for a meal and he got down on one knee when we got back to the hotel.

“The ring is a white gold solitaire ring from Beaverbrooks and I love it, it’s perfect for me. We were excited to get back from our holiday and tell everyone the good news.”

Despite their excitement, the couple waited more than five years to tie the knot. They wanted to own their own house first and bought a property in March 2015.

“It was quite a long wait after the proposal but once we were all settled into our new home, which took six months as it needed some work, we started to look at venues.

Sophie and Karl Wint's wedding at St Mark’s Church in Foxt
Sophie and Karl Wint's wedding at St Mark’s Church in Foxt

“I knew I wanted to get married at St Mark’s Church in Foxt as my parents got married there and I was christened there. It’s the church I had always imagined picking and its size was perfect for our 61 day guests.

“I had always wanted a winter wedding and we loved the Three Horseshoes in Leek, so when I saw a late availability date for the Saturday, November 5, we booked it.”

Sophie, a contact lens supervisor at Specsavers in Uttoxeter, took the lead in planning their dream wedding.

Sophie said: “I loved the idea of an ice princess wedding so I chose pale blue as the main colour, I was thinking Elsa from Frozen. I love anything sparkly so we went with sparkly table runners with alternate blue and silver chair sashes and on the tables we had chandeliers with flowers and a beautiful flower arrangement on the top table.

“We both love films so we also had a movie theme, serving our guests popcorn on arrival and having tables named after 80s movies, which was Karl’s choice, including Back to the Future, Top Gun and The Breakfast Club.”

Sophie and Karl Wint's venue decoration
Sophie and Karl Wint's venue decoration

For her dress, Sophie originally thought she wanted the typical princess style but changed her mind.

“I absolutely loved dress shopping. I started looking in March 2016, after we had booked our venues. I went to three dress shops, first Bridal Couture by Josephine in Cheadle which I admired every time I went through town, then Roberta’s Bridal in Burslem and The Bridal Lounge in Newcastle a few days later.

“I went with my mum and sister, who was also my bridesmaid. I expected to get a princess dress, all big and puffy, but after trying on different options I fell in love with the fishtail style.

“I actually went back to the first shop a week after first visiting as none of the other dresses matched up to the one I fell in love with there. It was a strapless Sophia Tolli dress with a sweetheart neckline, dropped waist bodice and a soft tulle skirt – but I had the seamstress add removable straps that sat off the shoulder.

“Because we were getting married on bonfire night I wanted something that sparkled and this dress had that, the detail was incredible and every time I moved I sparkled. I felt like a princess in it and couldn’t imagine wearing anything else.”

Sophie’s four bridesmaids were her sister Sarah Keates and three friends; Laura George, Charlotte Brown and Charlotte Bould. Each wore a blue dress with diamante and pearl detail from Quiz.

Sophie Wint with her bridemaids
Sophie Wint with her bridemaids

Karl had two best men, his brother, James Wint, and his best friend, Chris Histead. The couple picked blue suits together once they had decided on the bridesmaid dresses, as they wanted something that would complement the other.

For her hair, there was only ever one person for Sophie. She chose Sue Arthur, owner of Mirror Image in Cheadle, who has been styling her hair for more than 10 years. In fact she trusts her so much that she let her do what she wanted and only asked that she work around a sparkly headband. They went with a messy up do.

Sophie’s make-up was done by Jane of Jane Bridal Beauty. Sophie said: “I loved her work so I had to pick her. I went for something subtle that would show up well on camera along with a statement lip.”

The night before, Sophie stayed at her mum and dad’s home in Cheadle with her sister and had a girly catch up with some of her friends – but having to be up at 6.30am she admits it wasn’t a late night – while Karl went out in Cheadle with a few of his friends.

“On the day I was excited, I had been waiting for so long and I just wanted to enjoy it. In the morning I had all my bridesmaids with me and it was so nice getting ready together.

“Walking down the aisle is very hard to explain, it was lovely to see all of my friends and family in the church and seeing Karl at the end of the aisle. I just tried to enjoy every second with a smile on my face.”

The flowers were by Meg from Possibilities in Leek after Sophie discovered her at a Three Horseshoes wedding fair. Sophie wanted the flowers to match her colour theme and include the added detail of pearls and diamantes.

For the cake they chose Mandy’s Special Occasion Cakes in Tean. It was made of four tiers: chocolate, red velvet, lemon and coffee. It had the words ‘And They Lived Happily Ever After’ and a castle detail on the top tier with their initials on it.

Sophie and Karl Wint's wedding cake
Sophie and Karl Wint's wedding cake

For the transport they had two vintage VW beetles, one silver and one blue, while favours were personalised Lovehearts plus a blue shot.

In the evening around 100 people enjoyed a hot buffet, with wedding cake and cupcakes for afterwards. There was a sweet cart throughout the day and in the evening guests were served candyfloss.

Entertainment was courtesy of a DJ and as it was Bonfire Night guests were given sparklers.

The first dance was tied into the 80s movie theme, and as the top table was called Stand By Me they chose Florence + the Machine’s version of the song.

Sophie said: “The day went perfectly. The weather was always going to be a worry but it stayed dry and the sun even came out. It was cold but I was just happy it wasn’t raining which meant we could get lots of great photos outside of the church and venue. The food and speeches were great and everybody had a great time – the dance floor was full in the evening, which is where I spent most of the night.

“There was nothing I would change. Karl and I had a perfect day and I hope our guests would agree.”

For their Honeymoon they went to Riviera Maya in Mexico for 11 nights, choosing the location as they wanted somewhere to relax after the stress of planning a wedding.

Pictures by New Road Photography