I first met Alex & Rick in a health food cafe in their home town of Bolton and we quickly bonded over a love of oat milk lattes and fitness.
A fellow Personal trainer and vegan, myself and Alex hit it off right away, and after lengthy chats about the difficulty in finding delicious vegan food when dining out, we began chatting about their dreams for a relaxed fun wedding.
Set in heart of Lancashire surrounded by acres of farmland and with views for miles, The Wellbeing Farm in Edgworth would be the backdrop for their big day.
Rick & Alex were the epitome of childhood sweethearts.
They met at the tender age of 15 via Myspace and fell in love at first sight.
They basked in the glow of young love and their first summer romance bloomed into a passionate love affair.
Despite their youth their desire to be together never faltered.
They attended college and university together, they went into business together doing wedding photgraphy, spent a year travelling Australia and exploring the world as a team.
They build a life and a home together, and welcomed into it their adopted dog Kali.
Their two worlds merged together until the pair could no longer imagine a life without the other by their side.
It was almost 13 years later that we sat down together to plan their wedding, with a refreshing carefree attitude to their big day.
They were inspired by sunflowers and bright colours and wanted the venue styling to reflect their happy, vibrant personalities.
After initial chats about the wedding, we parted ways and whilst I wrote the first few drafts of their ceremony and researched potential music choices, poetry, and vow options for the happy couple, Alex went on to take over the world of bodybuilding.
In a few short months she won IBFA Overall British Champion 2019, and came 3rd in the World at NABBA Worlds.
Her dedication to a life of health and fitness is remarkable, and came second only to her dedication to her love for Rick and her best friend Holly who moved in with them to help them plan for the wedding.
As the wedding drew closer we chatted about an all vegan menu for the day, and the bride dreamed of a range of desserts to impress her guests including vegan donuts, cheesecake and brownies.
In the days running up to the wedding I've never seen a more relaxed bride.
Alex & Rick kept things simple and used friends to help make their day a dream come true with flowers, cupcakes, floral headpieces and brightly coloured chair ties.
The venue looked stunning and the colour palette matched their personalities and my dress perfectly.
I stood with a calm, emotional Rick as he watched his stunning bride walk down the aisle to Maisie Williams - When It Feels Like This.
I managed to hold back the tears, just, but Rick did not.
As they promised to share their life, their love and a surname for the rest of their lives, there wasn't a single dry eye in the house, including my own.
After saying their I do's and exchanging rings, they made some short sweet vows to each other.
“I loved you yesterday
I love you today
And I promise to love you
In all of my tomorrows
As your husband/wife.
I will be your faithful soulmate
To share with you
Whatever life sends us.
Let me go with you
Where you go
I will go too"
As the ceremony drew to a close and their dog Kali became more anxious being seperated from Mum & Dad, I had a thought and whispered to the couple.
As I introduced the New Mr & Mrs Whittle they walked back down the aisle as Husband, Wife & Dog, united as a family and supported by their family and friends.
The downpour that hit Bolton just as the ceremony concluded did nothing to dull the spirits and smiles of the newlyweds and they enjoyed a host of vegan canapes and cocktails, as they danced the night away.
After 13 years together it was inspiring and emotional to see how hopelessly in love Alex & Rick still are.
I know that their time together has helped them to develop an unbreakable bond and the love, trust and passion that they share will continue on into their next chapter as husband and wife.
Congratulations Alex & Rick!