Real Bride Hayley | A Timeless Bawtry Hall Wedding in Rebecca Ingram Isabella
A surprise proposal beneath an Icelandic waterfall, a timeless black-and-white wedding with a pop of lemon, and the Rebecca Ingram wedding dress that almost got away.
When Hayley first came to Elizabeth Kate Bridal, she had a pretty clear idea of what her dream wedding dress would look like. But as she started trying on different styles, she began to wonder whether the dress she'd always imagined was actually the right one.
Fast-forward a few appointments, and Hayley was almost ready to say yes to something completely different. Until Kim and Holly mentioned one last dress.
That dress was Isabella by Rebecca Ingram, and the rest, as they say, is history.
On 8th August 2026, Hayley married Dec at the beautiful Bawtry Hall, surrounded by their favourite people, elegant black-and-white styling and just the right splash of lemon yellow.
Here's their story, told by Hayley herself.
Hayley & Dec | Wedding Quick Facts
Bride | Hayley |
Partner | Dec |
Wedding date | 8th August 2026 |
Venue | Bawtry Hall, South Yorkshire |
Wedding dress | Isabella by Rebecca Ingram |
Bridal boutique | Elizabeth Kate Bridal, Crowle |
Wedding style | Timeless, classic and elegant |
Colour palette | Black, white and lemon yellow |
Photographer | Pears Photography |
Proposal | Skógafoss waterfall, Iceland |
The Love Story | An Instagram Message & an Icelandic Proposal
How did you and your partner meet, and tell us about your proposal?
Dec and I met in 2019, although I wouldn’t exactly describe our first meeting as a particularly magical or a romantic story! I came across his profile on Instagram and, being the brave one, I actually messaged him first! Little did I know that one Instagram message would lead to us being together for the next seven years, having our beautiful boy Harrison and eventually get married.
When it came to the proposal, Dec managed to completely surprise me. For his 30th birthday, I decided to take him away and surprised him with a trip to Iceland. We hired a car and spent our time exploring the incredible country, including the beautiful Skógafoss waterfall.
What I didn’t know was that Dec had a surprise of his own planned.
At the waterfall, Dec got down on one knee and started to propose, but, unbelievably, I had absolutely no idea what was happening! I was so focused on making sure the trip was all about celebrating Dec and his 30th birthday that it genuinely didn’t click. On top of that, the noise of the waterfall was so loud that I could barely hear him, and I was concentrating so hard on not slipping on the ice!
So, when I finally realised what was happening, I was completely shocked. It definitely wasn’t the perfectly composed proposal reaction you see in the films, but it was so us, completely unexpected, a little chaotic and in one of the most incredible places we’d ever visited.
Looking back, I couldn’t have imagined a more memorable way for Dec to ask me to marry him. Iceland will always hold such a special place in our hearts, and now we have the most amazing memory there to add to our story.
The Wedding Day | Timeless Elegance at Bawtry Hall
When and where did you get married?
We got married on 8th August 2026 at Bawtry Hall
What was your wedding theme?
The biggest thing for us when planning our wedding was that I wanted it to feel timeless. I didn’t want to follow a particular trend that might look beautiful now but that we could potentially look back on in a few years and wonder what we were thinking! I wanted to create something classic and elegant that we would always love looking back on.
We kept our colour palette traditional, with black and white as the main colours, and added the most beautiful pop of lemon for the bridesmaids. I loved how the soft yellow brought a little bit of colour and personality into the day while still keeping everything feeling timeless.
We also wanted to include little details throughout the wedding that were personal to us as a couple. Our favours were a collection of things that we both love, from sweets and cultural foods to, of course, Tequila Rose! They were such a fun way of bringing a little bit of our personalities into the day and giving our guests something that felt really us.
Overall, I wanted our wedding to feel classic, personal and full of little touches that represented who we are as a couple, rather than simply following a particular wedding trend.
What was your favourite moment of the day?
My favourite moment of the day was definitely the wedding breakfast and the speeches. There was something so special about sitting in that room and looking around to see all of our closest friends and family together in one place, celebrating us and sharing so much love. It was one of those moments where I really had to stop and take everything in.
The speeches made it even more special. Hearing such lovely words about us, our relationship and our life together was honestly heartwarming. For me, that whole part of the day really captured what a wedding is all about: being surrounded by the people you love most and feeling completely overwhelmed with love and happiness.
Finding Her Dress | The Rebecca Ingram Isabella Moment
What made you choose EKB?
Elizabeth Kate Bridal gave me a feeling that I hadn’t experienced at any other bridal boutique. They have such a beautiful range of dresses, with so many different styles to choose from, but it was the experience they gave me that really stood out.
From the moment I walked in, I felt completely comfortable, listened to and supported. They gave me the perfect balance of advice and guidance while still allowing me to make my own decisions.
It was also really important to me to support a local business. I loved knowing that I was supporting a local bridal boutique while also receiving such a personal and lovely experience.
For such an important and personal decision, I wanted to feel confident and excited rather than overwhelmed, and Elizabeth Kate Bridal created exactly that experience. The combination of their beautiful dresses, personal approach and genuine support made them the obvious choice for me.
Tell us about your dress, what did you fall in love with?
I went into Elizabeth Kate Bridal with a very clear vision of what I wanted in a wedding dress. However, after trying on a few different styles, I quickly realised that the style I had initially fallen in love with didn’t necessarily suit me or flatter my figure in the way I had hoped.
After a few visits and trying on a number of different dresses, I actually thought I was going to say yes to a dress that was the complete opposite of what I had originally been searching for! I was so close to placing the deposit when, on that very day, Kim and Holly told me about a dress they had in their trunk show which was due to be sent back in just a couple of days. I asked Kim and Holly "do you think there is a dress for me which I have been originally asking for" and their response was "we think so" (with a little excitement in their tone).
When I first tried it on, I just knew it was perfect and everything I had dreamed of. The structure, the shape and the beautiful, romantic floral lace were everything I had originally been looking for.
Once I could see the dress properly and imagine how it would look when it was fitted to me, I completely fell in love. It was simply incredible and made me feel so incredibly beautiful.
How did you feel when you found “the one”
I felt so many emotions flood when I had found the one but was stood out the most was I felt so excited! I couldn’t wait for every upcoming appointment with to Kim and Holly. Seeing how they would transform the dress and make it absolutely perfect for me. I knew that once it was fitted and altered to suit me, it was going to be everything I had dreamed of.
I couldn’t wait to wear it for the whole day and experience all of those special moments in it.
But more than anything, I couldn’t wait for my husband-to-be to see me in it for the first time. There was something so exciting about knowing that I had found MY dress and having to keep it a secret from Dec AND from my bridal party. I usually tell my girls everything including every detail! I just couldn’t wait for the moment when I finally got to do the big reveal in front of my girls and also walk down the aisle and see my husband’s reaction
Did you customise the dress in any way?
We didn’t customise the dress in the end! Although I didn’t make any alterations or customisations, that certainly didn’t mean we didn’t try lots of different options before deciding. We had so much fun experimenting with different styles and details, but ultimately, I fell in love with the dress exactly as it was.
Dress Spotlight | Isabella by Rebecca Ingram
Romantic lace, beautiful structure and a silhouette that feels effortlessly elegant.
Isabella by Rebecca Ingram was the dress Hayley had been searching for, even when she thought she'd found something else.
With romantic floral lace, delicate spaghetti straps, a structured illusion bodice and a flattering mermaid silhouette, Isabella brings together beautiful detail and a timeless bridal feel.
Her design features a basque waist, exposed boning, a plunging illusion V-neckline and lace layered over Chantilly lace. It's a gorgeous combination of romance and modern structure.
And for Hayley, it was all about how she felt wearing her.
After trying different possibilities, she chose to keep Isabella's original design, letting the lace, shape and beautiful fit do all the talking.
Love Isabella or looking for a romantic lace wedding dress?
Discover more Rebecca Ingram wedding dresses at Elizabeth Kate Bridal, where our Fairy Dress Mothers can help you find the gown that feels like yours.
Hayley's Advice for Brides-to-Be
What is one piece of advice you would give to brides currently dress shopping?
Trust your instincts and go with what you love. It’s so easy to be influenced by other people’s opinions, but ultimately, you’re the one wearing the dress, so don’t let anyone change your mind if your heart is telling you, it’s the one.
My other piece of advice would be to be bold and try lots of different styles, even if you don’t initially think they’re “you”. I tried so many different options, and it’s amazing how different a dress can look once you have it on. You never know what you might fall in love with, so have fun with it and don’t be afraid to try something completely unexpected!
What would you say to someone considering visiting EKB?
Simply go, you won’t regret it! The girls are absolutely lovely, and they have such a beautiful selection of dresses. There are so many gorgeous choices that, at one point, I actually had to stop looking at their social media because I was worried I’d fall in love with another dress! Haha!
What is one piece of advice you would give brides about planning or about the day?
When it comes to planning, my biggest piece of advice would be to start as early as you can! My now-husband and I were super proactive with our planning, and I can honestly say we didn’t experience much stress at all. I really think that was because we were so organised from the beginning.
And get yourself a spreadsheet! It was honestly a lifesaver for us. It helped us keep track of our budget, suppliers, payments and everything else that needed organising, and made the whole process feel so much more manageable.
As for the actual wedding day, I know it sounds cliché, however my biggest advice is to just take it all in. As the bride and groom, you’re so busy throughout the whole entire day and, looking back, I don’t think I took that advice quite as well as I should have.
Make sure you take a moment to breathe, look around and really soak it all in. Most importantly, make time to enjoy the day with your new husband and your family and friends. It really does go by so quickly!
A Little More From Hayley
Anything else you wish to share about your bridal experience?
Honestly, I just feel so incredibly grateful for the whole experience. From finding my dress to seeing everything we had planned come together on the day, it was everything I could have hoped for and more.
I think the biggest thing I’ve taken away is to really enjoy the journey, not just focus on the end result. The planning, the little moments along the way, and especially all of our hen and stag celebrations have created some of the best memories of our lives. Having that time with our friends and family, celebrating our upcoming marriage, was so incredibly special and something we’ll always look back on.
And, of course, I have to say a huge thank you to the girls at EKB. They made such a special part of my bridal experience even more memorable, and I couldn’t recommend them enough. I genuinely wish I could do it all over again!
A Huge Thank You, Hayley!
Hayley, what a journey! From that slightly chaotic Icelandic proposal to finding Isabella just in the nick of time, we've absolutely loved being part of your story.
Seeing you find the dress you'd imagined all along, and then watching everything come together so beautifully at Bawtry Hall, was a proper proud Fairy Dress Mother moment.
Thank you for trusting us, for making us laugh along the way and for letting us share your gorgeous wedding.
Here's to you, Dec and Harrison, and all the adventures still to come.
Lots of love, Kim, Holly x
Wedding Suppliers
A little love for the talented suppliers who helped bring Hayley and Dec's day together:
Bridal boutique: Elizabeth Kate Bridal
Photography: Pears Photography
Content creator: Bonita Content Creator
Hair: Elegance Hair by Rhian
Hair: Hair at Sasha’s
Makeup: Makeup by Jess Genia
Makeup: Makeup at the Collective Leah Frazer
Venue styling: All Occasions Venue Stylist
Music: Yorkshire Violinist
Music: Dustin Kitsch Saxophonist
Venue: Bawtry Hall
Florals: Flowery Sarah
Further Reading & Wedding Dress Inspiration
Fall in love with Rebecca Ingram wedding dresses
Love Hayley's romantic lace wedding dress? Explore our Rebecca Ingram collection and discover more beautiful designer gowns available at Elizabeth Kate Bridal.
More Real Brides, More Beautiful Weddings
From finding the perfect dress to celebrating the big day, discover more love stories, gorgeous wedding venues and bridal inspiration in our Real Bride Stories.
Ready to Find Your Wedding Dress?
Your dress might be waiting for you at Elizabeth Kate Bridal! Explore over 250 designer gowns and enjoy a private, two-hour bridal appointment with your very own Fairy Dress Mother.
Wedding Dress Shopping FAQs
When should I start shopping for my wedding dress?
We recommend starting your search around 12–18 months before your wedding, with 12 months often being a lovely time to make your final choice. Designer ordering times vary, so it's worth starting early enough to have plenty of options.
Should I try different wedding dress styles?
Absolutely. It's helpful to have an idea of what you love, but wedding dresses can look and feel completely different once they're on. Trying a few carefully chosen silhouettes can help you discover what really works for you.
Where can I try Rebecca Ingram wedding dresses in South Yorkshire?
Elizabeth Kate Bridal in Crowle, North Lincolnshire, stocks Rebecca Ingram wedding dresses and welcomes brides travelling from Doncaster, Sheffield, Rotherham and the surrounding areas. Browse our collection and book an appointment to discover the styles available to try.
What happens at a bridal appointment at Elizabeth Kate Bridal?
You'll enjoy a private two-hour first bridal appointment with your own Fairy Dress Mother, who'll help you explore designers, silhouettes and details that suit your style. Our collection includes over 250 designer wedding dresses, and our team is here to help you find your dress with expert, honest advice.
Does Elizabeth Kate Bridal offer wedding dress alterations?
Yes. We offer in-house bridal alterations, including a series of fittings to help achieve the final fit of your wedding dress. Our team will talk you through the process and timescales.
Ready to Find Your Wedding Dress?
Hayley's story is a lovely reminder that sometimes the dress you've imagined all along really is out there, even if the journey to finding her takes a few unexpected turns.
At Elizabeth Kate Bridal, we're here to help you find a wedding dress that feels completely, wonderfully you.
Our modern bridal boutique in Crowle, near Scunthorpe and Doncaster, is home to over 250 designer gowns, including beautiful collections from Rebecca Ingram, MWL, Eva Lendel, Serene by Madi Lane and Enzoani Love.
Your dress is waiting. Let's go find her.
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