The Special Couple: Sam + Tom

THE FIRST SIGHT & THE PROPOSAL

Sam & Tom, We met at my cousins birthday party in 2006, and a few months later we started dating. Tom was 18. I was 17, and we were each others first real boy/girlfriend.

For our tenth anniversary, we took a trip to Port Douglas. On our 1st night there we went to '4-mile beach' to watch the sunset with a bottle of bubbles, we walked up a path that overlooked the beach and Tom got down on one knee and asked the big question. We then for an amazing dinner that was set in the rainforest. The next day we took a helicopter ride out to the Great Barrier Reef. It was the perfect weekend.

THE INSPIRATION

We were going for a chilled out backyard vibe during the day, and then we wanted to party with our family and friends. When we found our venue, we knew it was perfect. It had a beautiful garden with this amazing view; we didn't really need to do anything to it. Our wedding was in Portugal, just outside Lisbon. We had been told Portuguese weddings were all about the food and drink which was perfect for us.

THE BRIDAL LOOK

I am Hayley Paige obsessed and knew I wanted one her gowns. I was in love with the Pepper dress but knew deep down that it wouldn't suit me. When I tried the Safyr gown (or West 2.0 as I call it), I knew it was for me. It had the top from Pepper which I loved, but the style was more me, and that was my aim to stay me. I didn't go crazy with makeup, and I knew I wanted my curls out as they are such a part of my identity.

SAM'S SAY "YES" TO THE DRESS MOMENT

I found the dress in the UK with my mum and sister and then called Eternal Bridal to make sure they could get it in for me.

I only tried on 7 in total and only one of those was not a Hayley Paige. The dress was different enough without being too crazy, and it just had such a great impact without being overpowering.

THE HIGHLIGHT

It is so hard for me to pick a highlight it was all so perfect. We laughed all day and really lived in the moment. If I had to pick it would be when Tom said the wrong word when exchanging rings. It is what I like to call a typical Tom moment, and it wouldn't have been right if he hadn't messed it up.

SAM'S ADVICE

I was pretty relaxed during the whole wedding process. I took my time and enjoyed planning the day. I made sure not to get worked up over anything because your guests will not know the difference and you will not care on the day as you will just be enjoying it.

SAM'S ETERNAL BRIDAL EXPERIENCE

Eternal Bridal were great as they didn't have Safyr in when I ordered it but as I already tried it on I wasn't worried, they let me try on a few dresses just for fun though and even come back when they had the dress in to try it on again. Every time I went into the shop, the staff were so lovely.

Sam wore a dress from Blush by Hayley Paige. See more gowns from Blush by Hayley Paige Collection here

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