Adam and Nick: An Intimate Registry Office Wedding Followed by a Weekend of Wedding Celebrations
Adam and Nick chose to celebrate their marriage over an unforgettable two-day weekend in August of this year, beginning with an intimate legal ceremony surrounded by their closest family and friends. The following day, they opened the celebrations to everyone they love, transforming Nick’s family home into a vibrant, joy-filled setting for their full wedding. What unfolded was a weekend that blended heartfelt moments, personal touches (including Jo Malon candles), and a true sense of togetherness, a celebration that felt both deeply meaningful and effortlessly fun.
Photographer Yazmine May Photography | Location Malvern, Worcestershire, UK
“We wanted our wedding to be full of fun, surrounded by the people who mean the most to us, and rooted in love and togetherness. That’s why we ultimately decided to hold the celebration at Nick’s family home. It felt personal, relaxed, and full of meaning - the kind of setting where every corner held a memory and every guest felt part of something special…”
How and when did you meet?
It all began in 2017 on Tinder, of all places. Some might call it fate. At the time I was living in Bristol, and Nick only happened to be in the area because his bags had been delayed at Bristol Airport on his way to a hen trip to Greece. If it hadn’t been for that small twist of luck, our paths might never have crossed.
We matched, started chatting, and spent a few weeks getting to know each other before finally meeting in person for our first date. Looking back, it feels like everything aligned just as it was meant to - a chance match that turned into something so much more.
Tell us a little about that first time you met…
Our first date was in a cosy little tapas bar in Bristol; low lighting and atmospheric. Nick was in town helping a friend (Rosie) move, and we thought it would be the perfect spot to finally meet after weeks of chatting. I was impressed by how open Nick was to sharing food; it felt easy and fun from the start. Only months later did I find out that he’s actually allergic to cheese and couldn’t eat half of what we ordered!
Nick was a little nervous, but the evening was full of laughter and easy conversation. We invited Nick’s friend Rosie along for moral support after the third spicy margarita left Nick staggering (thanks to copious wine and little food)! She helped to keep Nick upright and won the prize for best wing-woman of the year.
The next day we decided to have a more chilled “second first date.” We grabbed coffee and gelato, wandered through Bristol’s streets, and stopped to admire some of Banksy’s murals. It was spontaneous and easy.
What was the first thing you noticed about each other?
Adam: The first thing I noticed about Nick was his infectious smile - the kind that instantly puts you at ease. When Rosie joined us later that evening, it was clear Nick had a great circle of friends around him; which said a lot about the kind of person he is. Not many people will have a friend come to support their date and still manage to impress!
Nick: For me, it was Adam’s sense of style and humour. He looked effortlessly put-together and had this natural charm that made me laugh straight away. I’d been nervous before the date, but he managed to settle all of that within minutes - just by being himself.
Tell us about the standout moments in your relationship…
One of the defining parts of our relationship has been our shared love for adventure and discovery. From travelling to Australia in 2018 - exploring the coastlines, meeting Nick's best friend Wiss, and soaking up the sunshine - to our unforgettable trip to Iceland filled with glaciers, waterfalls, and breathtaking scenery, we’ve always found joy in exploring the world together.
In 2020, we took the next step and moved into our first home near Nick’s hometown of Malvern, before buying our Cheltenham townhouse in 2022. That house has since become the heart of our lives - a place filled with laughter, Sunday roasts, birthdays, and our now-famous Christmas canapé parties. Adam loves to cook and host, and it’s become a home that truly reflects us both.
But one of the most significant moments in our relationship came in 2024, when Nick fell seriously ill. It was an incredibly difficult time, but it also showed the strength of our relationship. Supporting Nick back to health was a reminder of what love really means - not just the adventures and celebrations, but the unwavering care, resilience, and partnership that hold everything together.
Have you ever faced any issues of non-acceptance?
Thankfully, we’ve never really faced any major issues of non-acceptance. That said, in the early days of our relationship, there were definitely moments of uncertainty. Nick had never had a partner before, and as a local business owner in a close-knit community, he was naturally a bit anxious about how clients might perceive things.
We still laugh thinking back to those early shopping trips where Nick would suddenly dart down another aisle or make a quick exit mid-conversation if he spotted someone he knew. It became a bit of a running joke between us. But as time went on and I started meeting more of his colleagues and clients, it quickly became clear that there was nothing to worry about. Everyone was welcoming and supportive, and Nick realised that being himself - and being open about us - didn’t change a thing.
What does marriage mean to you?
For us, marriage is about commitment - a promise to stand by each other through every chapter of life. Not just celebrating the good times, but being there when things get difficult, too. We’ve already shared so many highs and faced our share of challenges, and through it all, we’ve learned that love isn’t just a feeling - it’s a choice you make every day.
Marriage, to us, is a vow to keep showing up for one another, to laugh together, to listen, and to lift each other up when it’s needed most. It means having your best friend by your side through everything - someone who knows you completely, supports you unconditionally, and makes even the ordinary moments feel special.
Who proposed and how?
It became a running joke between us early on that Nick’s favourite saying (from about date four onwards) was, “I hate surprises, but I love Cartier.” So really, it was always clear who would be doing the proposing!
Adam proposed in August 2023, during a family trip to Cornwall. It happened on the very same beach we’d visited for Adam’s 30th birthday, at Harlyn Bay. A place full of special memories for us both. It also happened to be my dad’s 70th birthday weekend, which made it even more meaningful to have all the family nearby to celebrate.
Looking back, I honestly don’t know how Adam kept it a secret for so long. We went for a walk along the coastline, and I started to get suspicious when he kept checking the tidal patterns and insisted we stop for half an hour - only later did I realise it was because the beach was still underwater and would’ve completely ruined the moment!
When we finally reached Harlyn Bay, he got down on one knee. I had absolutely no idea it was coming. I said yes (of course) and then he’d planned the most perfect surprise lunch at The Pig, where our friends had sent champagne to toast our engagement. It was an unforgettable day.
When did you get married?
We planned a weekend wedding in August, wanting to make the most of the celebration and spend quality time with everyone we love. On Friday 22nd August, we had our legal ceremony surrounded by our closest family and friends: an intimate and emotional day that felt deeply personal and special.
The following day, we opened up the celebrations to all our friends and wider family for a full wedding celebration. It was the perfect weekend: filled with laughter, love, and all the people who’ve been part of our journey together.
What was the main influence behind your wedding day?
We did a lot of research! There were countless Pinterest boards, planning sessions, and weekend trips across the country in search of the perfect venue. But in the end, what mattered most to us wasn’t finding a grand location - it was creating a day that truly reflected who we are.
We wanted our wedding to be full of fun, surrounded by the people who mean the most to us, and rooted in love and togetherness. That’s why we ultimately decided to hold the celebration at Nick’s family home. It felt personal, relaxed, and full of meaning - the kind of setting where every corner held a memory and every guest felt part of something special. Celebrating our marriage in a place so close to our hearts made the day even more unforgettable.
What was the most important thing to you surrounding your wedding?
For us, the most important thing was creating memories that would last forever - moments that truly reflected who we are. As a gay couple, we felt we had the freedom to rip up the rule book and design a day that was completely our own. We wanted our wedding to be filled with joy, surprises, great food, and incredible music - a celebration that felt alive from start to finish.
We got married around the pool, surrounded by our family and friends, with an acappella choir setting the tone. Instead of traditional hymns, our ceremony featured songs that wove into our vows - from Taylor Swift’s Lover to a crescendo of You’ve Got the Love as we made our exit to a standing crowd. It was emotional, unexpected, and completely unforgettable.
We wanted our guests to feel included and part of every moment. Rather than a traditional wedding cake, we shared a giant three-foot pavlova with everyone before heading to the dance floor to celebrate into the night. Every detail was designed to reflect love, laughter, and the joy of being surrounded by the people who mean the most to us.
And while we hoped people would feel the love in the air, we never quite anticipated just how emotional it would be - there were tears everywhere! From the vows to the speeches, the atmosphere was overflowing with warmth and joy. It was incredibly beautiful to feel our friends and family not only witness, but truly celebrate our love alongside us.
Did you incorporate any family sentiments or traditions?
We wanted to honour a few family traditions while also creating some new ones of our own. For our something blue, we had the date of our wedding embroidered inside our bespoke tailored suits - a subtle but meaningful detail to us both.
We both borrowed a watch for the day: Nick wore one from his friend Duncan, and Adam borrowed his from his dad. It felt like a lovely connection to the people who’ve supported us most. Adam’s dad, who’s retired from the army, played a special role too - wearing his military uniform for the ceremony on Friday, and his formal military black tie adorned with medals for the Saturday celebration. Everyone commented on how impressive and proud he looked.
We also involved our niece and nephews as page boys and flower girl, which brought such a sense of family warmth and joy to the day. Blending old traditions with personal touches made the celebration feel uniquely ours - a true reflection of love, family, and the values that mean the most to us.
Where did you find the bulk of your inspiration?
We spent hours searching online for ideas and inspiration (mostly on Instagram) taking notes from beautiful weddings we’d seen featured on Theodore and other pages we admired. Over time, a clear vision started to form, with a few “must-haves” that we knew would define the day.
The Friday centred around creating an intimate, relaxed atmosphere inspired by al fresco dining. We rented a countryside Manor House and set up circular tables outdoors, dining and drinking under candlelight as live music played into the evening. As dusk fell, surrounded by our closest friends and family, it felt deeply personal.
For the Saturday, our inspiration took on a more classic and formal tone. We wanted something timeless and elegant, so we chose a chic black-tie theme and both wore white tuxedos made by Oliver Brown. It allowed us to stand out in a subtle but sophisticated way.
Throughout the weekend Jo Malone was a signature thread. Nick has always loved the brand, so every candle - and even our guest favours - were Jo Malone. The marquee was filled with the scents of Myrrh & Tonka and Lime, Basil & Mandarin, which created an atmosphere that felt both luxurious and personal. Those fragrances even inspired our colour palette and floral design: soft, classic creams and blacks accented with vibrant pops of orange and pink, and yellow hues.
The end result was a setting that felt timeless yet completely ours: elegant, fragrant, and full of thoughtful details that made the day feel like an expression of us.
How did you choose your suppliers?
From the beginning, we knew we wanted to spotlight local suppliers. Nick runs a family business with his brother, so supporting the local community was something that felt really important to us. Our florist and caterer were both based in Herefordshire, and they brought such creativity and care to every detail.
Our photographer, Yaz, was a complete find by Adam - and an absolute dream to work with. Her portfolio stood out immediately for its storytelling style and the elegance of her film photography. But it was her warmth and genuine interest in us as a couple that truly sealed the deal. She captured every emotion so naturally, and it felt effortless having her with us on the weekend.
The same went for our wedding coordinator, Kate. She came highly recommended, and from our very first conversation, we knew she was the one. Her meticulous questions, calm professionalism, and eye for detail reassured us that every moment would run to perfection (and it did).
What was the most difficult thing about planning your wedding?
The most challenging part of planning the wedding was managing all the different opinions that naturally come with such a big event. Everyone means well (friends, family, even suppliers), but at times it felt like we were being pulled in a dozen directions at once.
We really wanted to honour the people around us, while still keeping the day true to who we are as a couple. Finding that balance between creating something that felt romantic and personal, without losing ourselves in the pressure of perfection, was definitely a challenge.
In the end, the best decisions we made were the ones that reflected us: our style, our humour, and our relationship. Once we stopped worrying about what a wedding “should” look like and focused on what felt right for us, everything started to fall into place.
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
For our mini-moon, we escaped to the beautiful Greek island of Milos: a hidden gem that turned out to be everything we were looking for. It offered the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure: crystal-clear beaches, incredible Mediterranean food, and plenty of time to simply unwind and enjoy being newlyweds.
The island itself is small but exquisite. We spent our days exploring the coastline on an ATV, beach-hopping from one breathtaking spot to the next. We loved exploring the famous beach of Sarakiniko, with its white volcanic rock and turquoise waters that felt otherworldly. One of our highlights was a speedboat tour around the island that ended in the middle of the sea at sunset - just us, the sound of the waves, and the sky painted in gold and pink. In another turn of fate, one of the beaches we visited was actually the exact same beach Nick had visited during the hen from 2017 when we first matched. True serendipity!
Between the sunshine, the pastries, and the endless sea views, Milos was pure magic - the perfect place to start married life together.
Any advice for other couples planning their day and finding it difficult to navigate the journey?
The best advice we can give is to stay focused on what you both want and love. Your wedding should be a true reflection of you both - not a checklist of what you think it should be. It’s a celebration of your story, your relationship, and the people who’ve supported you along the way.
Through the first dance, the speeches, and every little moment in between, remember that everyone there only wants the best for you. If something slips up, if you stumble on your first dance, or if plans go a little astray, don’t worry. No one notices nearly as much as you think they will. In fact, those are often the moments that make the day feel real and unforgettable.
At the heart of it all, your guests are rooting for you both and the life you’re building together.
Adam and Nick’s Team
Photographer Yazmine May Photography
Caterer AtoZest
Friday Band Easy Sundays UK
Saturday Band The Dominos
Choir Sonder Choir
Wedding Coordinator Kate Thomas, Katrina Otter Weddings
Videographer Andrew Maguire Weddings
Tailor Oliver Brown
Florist The Unwalled Garden
Wedding Cake Home Farm Kitchen
Bow Tie La Bowtique
Marquee Good Intents
More For You
