From a Mountain-Top Proposal to “Mr & Mrs Heron”: Real Bride Courtney's Intimate Marylebone Town Hall Wedding
There are so many different ways to get married, and this beautiful wedding is proof that your day really doesn't have to be big to feel incredibly special.
After nearly seven years together, a surprise proposal at 3,029 meters in Saalbach, Austria led to an intimate wedding at Marylebone Town Hall in London, with just 11 of their closest family and friends there to celebrate.
The day was simple, elegant and timeless, with the focus firmly on the two people at the heart of it all.
And when it came to finding her wedding dress at Elizabeth Kate Bridal, the same feeling applied: finding something beautiful that felt completely like her.
Quick Facts
Bride: Courtney
Groom: Daniel
The proposal: Saalbach, Austria
Proposal date: 17 March 2023
The wedding: 17 June 2026
Venue: Marylebone Town Hall, London
Ceremony: 12:30pm
Guests: 11
Wedding style: Simple, elegant and timeless
Wedding dress: Kailani by Rebecca Ingram
Bridal boutique: Elizabeth Kate Bridal
The love story in Courtney's own words....
How did you and your partner meet?
Daniel and I have been together for nearly seven years, and our story actually started with him sliding into my DMs! What started there grew into something so much bigger than either of us probably imagined.
Over the years, we've built a life together, blended our family and shared so many memories. Daniel is quite reserved and I'm definitely the one who wears her heart on my sleeve, but somehow we just work. He's my best friend and the person I want by my side through everything.
Tell us about the proposal!
Daniel proposed to me in Saalbach, Austria, at the top of Salzburg at 3,029 metres, on the 17th march 2023 surrounded by two of our very best friends.
It was completely unexpected and such a special moment. Being up there, surrounded by the mountains and taking in the incredible views, made it feel even more magical. Having two of our closest friends there to share the moment with us made it even more meaningful.
It's one of those moments that I'll never forget and the perfect beginning to our journey towards becoming husband and wife.
The Wedding Day
When and where did you get married?
We got married on 17th June 2026 at Marylebone Town Hall in London, with our ceremony at 12:30pm.
We wanted our wedding to be intimate and really personal, so we kept the day small with just 11 of our closest family and friends there to celebrate with us.
What was your wedding vibe/theme?
Our wedding was very much simple, elegant and timeless. We didn't want anything too over the top we wanted the focus to be on us, the people we love and the meaning behind the day.
There was something really special about having such a small wedding. It felt incredibly personal and relaxed, and we were able to properly enjoy every moment rather than feeling like the day was passing us by.
What was the wedding budget?
We chose to keep this private, but we were very conscious of spending money on the things that mattered most to us and creating a day that felt completely "us".
What was your favourite moment of the day?
It's so difficult to choose just one moment because the whole day was so special, but standing there and finally becoming Mr & Mrs Heron is something I'll never forget.
After everything we'd shared together over the years, finally looking at Daniel and knowing he was officially my husband was such an emotional and surreal moment.
I also loved having our closest people there. With only 11 guests, everyone there genuinely meant so much to us, which made the day feel even more special.
A Real Bride's Dress Journey
Courtney’s Wedding Dress: Kailani by Rebecca Ingram
Tell us about your dress. What did you fall in love with?
My dress was everything I wanted without me necessarily knowing exactly what I was looking for when I first started shopping.
I fell in love with the way it made me feel. It was elegant, feminine and made me feel like a bride, but it still felt like me.
There's something you can't really explain about finding the right dress. You can like lots of dresses, but when you put the one on, you just know.
How did you feel when you found "the one"?
Honestly, it was such a special feeling.
I remember looking at myself and thinking, "This is my wedding dress."
It wasn't just about how beautiful the dress looked, it was how I felt wearing it. I felt confident, beautiful and completely like a bride. That feeling is something I'll never forget.
Did you customise your dress or style it in a unique way?
I wanted to keep the overall look elegant and timeless, while adding my own little touches so it still felt personal to me.
The accessories and styling helped bring the whole look together without taking away from the dress itself.
Loved Courtney’s Kailani?
Kailani by Rebecca Ingram is available to try at Elizabeth Kate Bridal in Crowle. If you love a sleek, modern wedding dress with options to personalise the look, you can see the full details, including sizing, fabric and styling options, on her dress page.
Thinking Kailani might be your dress?
Courtney found hers at Elizabeth Kate Bridal. If you're ready to start finding yours, we'd love to welcome you for a private bridal appointment in Crowle.
Courtney's Advice to Future Brides
What advice would you give to brides currently dress shopping?
Don't choose your dress based on what you think you're supposed to wear. Choose the one that makes you feel like the best version of yourself.
Try different styles, even ones you don't think you'll like. Sometimes the dress you fall in love with is completely different from what you imagined.
And most importantly, enjoy it! Try not to put pressure on yourself to find "the one" straight away. When you find the right dress, you'll know how it makes you feel.
What would you say to someone considering visiting Elizabeth Kate Bridal?
Go for it!
From my own experience, the whole process was so lovely and personal. I never felt rushed or pressured, and it was clear that finding the right dress for me was the most important thing.
Elizabeth Kate Bridal became a really special part of my wedding journey, and I'll always look back on finding my wedding dress there with so much happiness.
A Dress Journey Without the Pressure
Courtney didn't walk into Elizabeth Kate Bridal knowing exactly what she was looking for. And she didn't need to.
Sometimes finding your dress is less about having a clear picture in your head and more about discovering what makes you feel amazing when you actually put it on.
You might arrive with a Pinterest board full of ideas, a style you think you'll choose, or absolutely no idea where to start. All of those are completely fine.
The important thing is having the space to try different things, trust how you feel and find the dress that feels like you.
Planning Your Own Wedding Day
This wedding is also a lovely reminder that intimate doesn't have to mean less meaningful.
With just 11 guests, every person in the room mattered. The couple were able to keep the day focused on themselves, their relationship and the people closest to them, exactly as they wanted it.
There isn't a right number of guests, a right size of wedding or a right way to celebrate. Your wedding can be a huge party, a tiny ceremony, or anything in between.
The important thing is that it feels like yours.
A Little Note from Us
It was such a pleasure to be part of Courtney's journey to becoming Mrs Heron.
From finding a dress that felt elegant, feminine and completely like her, to seeing the beautiful wedding day it became part of, we couldn't be happier to have played a small part in such a special chapter.
And perhaps the loveliest thing Courtney said was that finding her dress was about how she felt wearing it.
Because really, that's what we're hoping every bride experiences.
Ready to Find Your Dress?
Courtney's story is exactly why we do things the way we do.
You don't need to arrive knowing exactly what you want. You don't need to have your whole bridal look worked out. And you certainly don't need to feel like you're on a race to find a dress.
Your appointment is about having the time and space to discover what makes you feel amazing, with someone there who genuinely wants you to find your dress.
If you're ready to start your own bridal journey, we'd love to welcome you to Elizabeth Kate Bridal in Crowle.
Private appointments. Beautiful dresses. No pressure. Just finding the one that feels like you.
Continue Your Bridal Journey
Real Bride Stories - See more Elizabeth Kate brides and discover the dresses they chose for their own wedding days.
How Many Wedding Dresses Should You Try On? - Wondering how many dresses you actually need to try? We break down the numbers and what to expect.
Find Your Dress - Discover our designers, dresses and everything you need to know before your appointment.
Wedding Dress FAQs
When should I start wedding dress shopping?
We generally recommend starting around 12–18 months before your wedding, particularly if you're looking for a made-to-order gown. This gives you time to enjoy the process without feeling rushed.
How many wedding dresses should I try on?
There isn't a magic number, but around 6–10 dresses is a useful guide for many brides. The aim isn't to try on as many dresses as possible - it's to give yourself enough variety to understand what you love and how you feel in different styles.
How far in advance should I order my wedding dress?
Most made-to-order wedding dresses need several months for production and delivery, followed by time for fitting and finishing. Your bridal boutique can advise on the exact timescale for the designer and gown you choose.
How many people should I bring wedding dress shopping?
There's no set rule, but keeping your group small can make the appointment feel more relaxed and personal. Choose the people whose opinions you genuinely value and who will help you feel confident in your decision.
Your appointment is a chance to talk through your wedding plans, get a feel for your style and try on a selection of dresses. You don't need to arrive knowing exactly what you want - trying different shapes and styles is often part of discovering what feels right for you.
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