A Rebecca Ingram Wedding Dress, a Yorkshire Wedding and a Love Story to Remember

elizabethkatebridal

9 minutes ago

8 min read

Mr and Mrs Watson on their wedding day at Waterton Park Hotel in Wakefield sitting on a Royal Alloy Scooter

Some wedding dress journeys begin with months of searching. Others take a rather unexpected turn when the very first dress you try on turns out to be the one.

For Claire, finding the perfect wedding dress was surprisingly straightforward. Living locally in Crowle, she had a clear idea of what she wanted: a fitted wedding gown, a low back and beautiful intricate detailing. When the first dress Kim and Holly showed her at Elizabeth Kate Bridal was a Rebecca Ingram design, she fell in love with it immediately.

There was no need for endless searching. Even after trying a few other dresses, her thoughts kept returning to that first one.

Their wedding day was every bit as personal, bringing together family, special surprises and beautiful lakeside surroundings at Waterton Park Hotel in Wakefield.

From a proposal with a sandwich interruption at one of Yorkshire's most memorable beauty spots to a wedding day filled with moments they will treasure, this is their story.

A love story that began with an unexpected reunion

Their story began online, but it wasn't quite a straightforward first meeting. After initially matching on Match, nerves got in the way. A chance encounter on a night out, some time later, brought them back together.

And the proposal? It involved one of Yorkshire's most beautiful locations, a picnic and perhaps slightly questionable sandwich timing!

Our Love Story

How did you and your partner meet?

We originally matched on the online dating site, Match. After exchanging a few messages, I let my nerves get the better of me and completely lost contact. As fate would have it, we unexpectedly bumped into each other on a night out some time later, Simon happened to be out with a mutual friend of mine. We reconnected instantly, and the rest is history.

Tell us about the proposal!

This is my absolute favourite story. I adore Malham Cove in the Yorkshire Dales; I have the fondest memories of walking there with my family when I was a teenager, so it's a very special place for me. In the chilly February of 2023, we walked up to the top of the cove for a picnic. Simon’s timing, however, wasn't quite perfect, just as I was happily filling my face with a sandwich, he knelt down to pop the question! Even with the sandwich mishap, he couldn’t have picked a more perfect venue to ask me. We followed the proposal with a night in a lovely hotel and a romantic celebratory meal.

A relaxed wedding at Waterton Park Hotel, Wakefield

The Wedding Day

When and where did you get married?

We got married on July 31st at the beautiful Waterton Park Hotel in Wakefield. We completely fell in love with the backdrop of the venue; the lakeland views are absolutely stunning.

What was your wedding vibe/theme?

We went for a traditional style but with a completely relaxed atmosphere. Our main priority was simply having everyone together, enjoying themselves and celebrating.

What was your favourite moment of the day?

There were so many beautiful moments that it's hard to choose just one! I loved seeing our children all dressed up, it was incredibly emotional. Seeing Simon waiting for me at the end of the aisle was another deeply moving moment that I'll never forget. Finally, seeing his face when he realised I had bought him a Royal Alloy Scooter as a wedding present was absolutely brilliant!

Finding the dress at Elizabeth Kate Bridal in Crowle

Sometimes knowing what you want makes the wedding dress search feel much easier. For this bride, there was a clear picture in mind from the beginning: a fitted silhouette, a low back and intricate detailing.

Having driven past Elizabeth Kate Bridal regularly, she already knew the boutique was somewhere she wanted to visit. Recommendations from friends helped make the decision, too.

And then came the dress.

The Dress Journey

What made you choose Elizabeth Kate Bridal?

I live locally in Crowle and drive past the boutique daily. It always looks so lovely, and knew I wanted to support a local business. I had also heard so many wonderful recommendations from friends about the gorgeous selection of dresses and how attentive and helpful Kim and Holly are.

Tell us about your dress, what did you fall in love with?

I went into the boutique with a very clear idea of what I wanted: a fitted gown with a low back and intricate detailing. The very first dress I was shown was a Rebecca Ingram design, and I fell in love with it immediately. Finding the dream dress turned out to be so much easier than I ever imagined!

When the first dress feels like the one

There is something lovely about knowing a dress has stayed in your thoughts, even when you try other options. For this bride, it wasn't about finding something better. It was about realising that the dress she had fallen for first was still the one she wanted.

How did you feel when you found “the one”?

I simply couldn’t stop thinking about it. Even after trying on a few other options just to be sure, my mind kept drifting back to that first dress. That’s when I knew it was the one.

Did you customise your dress or style it in a unique way?

No, I kept it completely classic and wore it exactly as it was designed.

Her advice for brides searching for their wedding dress

One of the most helpful things about hearing from real brides is discovering what they would pass on to someone just starting their own wedding dress journey.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to brides currently dress shopping?

Take your absolute closest friends and trusted relatives with you for support. It also helps immensely to do a little research before your appointment to figure out which styles and designers you are naturally drawn to, it makes the whole process so much easier and more enjoyable.

What would you say to someone considering visiting us?

Do not hesitate for a single second, 100% just book an appointment and go! You have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain. What I appreciated most was that there was zero pressure, which made the experience so relaxing. You definitely won’t be disappointed.

The little things that made their wedding special

From the emotional moments at the ceremony to the unexpected scooter surprise, their wedding was full of personal touches.

One particularly special memory happened before the wedding itself, when the family took time to enjoy a quiet meal together the evening before.

Advice for Future Brides

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to brides about the planning/day/anything you think!?

Always do what makes you and your partner happy. After all, it is your special day, so invite the people you truly want there and don't feel pressured into choices that don't feel right to you.

Try not to overthink every tiny detail. The build-up to the wedding should be a fun, exciting experience, so try to enjoy the journey as much as possible.

Final Thoughts

Anything else you’d love to share about your experience?

We arranged a quiet family meal with our children the night before the wedding. It was such a beautiful, special moment together to share the excitement before the traditional separated evening, and it's a memory I will always treasure.

A few of their favourite wedding suppliers

Every wedding comes together with the help of some lovely people. Mr & Mrs Watson would also like to share the suppliers who helped make their day special.

Wedding Dress: Elizabeth Kate Bridal
Wedding venue: Waterton Park Hotel, Wakefield
Wedding photographer: Callum Beacock Photographer, Scunthorpe
Wedding cake: Mrs Bouqcakes, Leeds
Photo mirror & lighting: Wedding Venue Lighting, Cleckheaton
Live acoustic music: Amplify Events

A little thank you from Elizabeth Kate Bridal

It was such a pleasure to be part of your wedding dress journey and to help you find the Rebecca Ingram gown you had been imagining.

Thank you, Claire, for sharing your story, your lovely words about the boutique and these special memories with us.

We hope you have the happiest years ahead together.

With love, Kim & Holly x

Mrs Watson wearing her Rebecca Ingram wedding dress on her wedding day

Wedding dress shopping in Crowle – frequently asked questions

If you're starting to look for your wedding dress, you might have some of the same questions as our real brides.

Can you find your wedding dress at your first bridal appointment?

Absolutely. Some brides find their dress on their very first visit, while others need a little more time to explore different styles. There is no set number of appointments you should need. In this real bride story, Claire fell in love with a Rebecca Ingram design during the very first appointment at Elizabeth Kate Bridal. Read her full wedding dress story.

How long should I allow for a wedding dress appointment?

A good bridal appointment should give you enough time to explore different silhouettes, try dresses and discuss what you love without feeling rushed. At Elizabeth Kate Bridal, appointments last two hours, giving you dedicated time with your bridal stylist.

What should I look for when choosing a wedding dress?

Start by thinking about the silhouettes, details and overall feeling you are naturally drawn to. You don't need to have everything figured out before your appointment. Claire arrived knowing she loved fitted gowns, low backs and intricate detailing, which helped her find a dress that felt right. Discover how she found her Rebecca Ingram wedding dress.

Should I research wedding dress designers before visiting a bridal boutique?

A little research can be helpful, particularly if you've already spotted designers or styles you love. However, staying open to suggestions can lead you to something you hadn't considered. Our real brides' experiences show that the right dress isn't always the one you initially expect.

How many people should I bring to my wedding dress appointment?

Choose the people whose opinions you trust and who will support you in making a decision that feels right. A smaller group of close friends or family members can make the experience more relaxed and enjoyable.

What happens at a wedding dress appointment at Elizabeth Kate Bridal?

Your two-hour private appointment is all about finding a dress that feels right for you. You'll have dedicated time with your stylist, the opportunity to explore different designers and silhouettes, and your own private bridal space. We want you to feel comfortable, supported and never pressured.

Where can I find Rebecca Ingram wedding dresses near Scunthorpe?

Elizabeth Kate Bridal is an appointment-only bridal boutique in Crowle, North Lincolnshire, within easy reach of Scunthorpe and surrounding areas. We stock Rebecca Ingram wedding dresses alongside a selection of other bridal designers. Read about Claire's experience of finding her Rebecca Ingram dress.

Ready to Find Your Own Wedding Dress?

If Claire's story has you thinking about your own dress, explore Rebecca Ingram wedding dresses at Elizabeth Kate Bridal or see more of our Real Bride Stories for inspiration.

We're an appointment-only bridal boutique in North Lincolnshire, welcoming brides from Hull, Yorkshire, and Lincolnshire. If you're dress shopping and want a place where you can be completely honest about what you love, what you don't, and how you want to feel in your dress, we'd love to meet you.

With our expert guidance and in-house bridal alterations, we can help you discover the dress and make it truly yours.

Mr and Mrs Watson on their wedding day at Waterton Park Hotel in Wakefield