Best of friends

Childhood neighbours Chris and Suzi reconnected on Facebook before sealing their long-distance romance

Chris Bond and Suzi Duffett

Where: Ceremony at New House, Redlynch, followed by reception at Mecure White Hart Hotel, Salisbury, Wiltshire

Photography: John Rose Photography

Chris and I grew up next to each other on an army base, but lost contact when my family moved away. A few years later he searched for me on Facebook and we began a long-distance relationship.

Once he proposed I wasted no time organising the wedding. It was a shock to people when I first mentioned the colour theme. Some said, “you can’t have black for a wedding” and others said they thought black and gold would look very classy. I chose black, gold and ivory. I tried on what felt like 100 dresses before I found ‘the one’. I think I knew deep down what I would have but I had to rule the others out. I felt like a princess every time I tried my dress on and couldn’t wait to wear it for a whole day.

On the day of the wedding it felt very surreal that I was getting married. Walking down the aisle I kept looking at Chris thinking “turn around and look” but he didn’t until I was next to him.

We didn’t have many flowers for our wedding just the bouquets and buttonholes, with candles for our centrepieces. We wanted things to be simple but effective and with that in mind we decided that our cake should be quite plain with the exception of the middle tier. Luckily for us my sister, Chel Brown, makes and decorates the most delicious cakes.

Before the band we had a magician; he was fantastic, his illusion tricks were unbelievable and the kids loved his balloon modelling. The band were a rock/pop group who played a range of music and after our first dance to Oasis’s Wonderwall everyone was on the dance floor.

The day was perfect, I’m so happy and proud to have married my best friend.

WHO DID WHAT

Photography: John Rose Photography, Salisbury, 01722 320500, www.johnrosephotography.co.uk

Venue: New House, Redlynch Salisbury, 01725 510055, www.newhouseestate.co.uk;

Mercure White Hart Hotel, Salisbury, 01962 312801, www.mercure.com/gb/hotel-6616-mercure-salisbury-white-hart-hotel

Dress: Brides of Southampton, 023 805 53449, www.bridesofsouthampton.co.uk

Bridesmaids’ Dresses: By Myleene Klass, www.very.co.uk

Hair: Sita Cutler (friend)

Make-up: Jessica Rogers, 07967 107383, www.jrbeautytherapy.co.uk

Groom’s outfit: Moss Bros, Salisbury, 01722 320244, www.moss.co.uk

Flowers: Karins Flowers, Durrington, Wiltshire, 01980 655095, www.karinsflowers.co.uk

Cake: Chel Brown (bride’s sister)

Transport: Elite Limousines, 01225 700658, www.elitelimousines-uk.com

Entertainment: Harpist, Katie Salomon, http://members.lastminutemusicians.com; magician, Tony Hyams, www.tonymagicman.com; band, State of Play, www.facebook.com/stateofplayband