Couple With Down’s Syndrome Has Alice In Wonderland Wedding

Alice In Wonderland-themed wedding for couple with Down’s syndrome

Leah and Andrew, a Cheshire-based couple with Down’s syndrome celebrate love at first sight with an Alice in Wonderland-themed wedding.

We are organising a really special Alice in Wonderland theme wedding, Sue, Leah’s mother, wrote in an email to me.

We require a wedding photographer who is capable of capturing natural, candid pictures. You were well-recommended.

This is certain: Sue wasn’t lying. This was a truly memorable wedding, one of my highlights of a hectic year with all the Covid postponements and rescheduled weddings.

Andrew and Leah’s approach to love and life was contagious. A memorable scene was Andrew waiting at the Alter while his bride, Leah, walked down the aisle with her father.

All eyes are on the bride, when I notice Andrew wiping a tear from his eye with an old-school handkerchief in a very classy manner. It touched me, and it’s a moment I’ll never forget.

Here is their story…

A very special Alice In Wonderland theme wedding

We are Andrew and Leah Taylor-Jones, from Runcorn, Cheshire. Andrew is a native of Blackburn, Lancashire, but he grew up in Liverpool.

Andrew’s father was a Methodist minister, so the family moved wherever he was assigned to preach. Andrew has since been with working  with Asda in Runcorn for nearly 15 years.

My name is Leah Taylor-Jones, and I spent the majority of my childhood in Widnes, Cheshire. I work as an administrative assistant for Ella Performance Group.

I also run my own company, Positive You, with the help of my PA, Jade French.

Positive You: is a self-advocate arts-based approach for building self-esteem. I am passionate about the rights of people with Down’s syndrome and learning difficulties.

The proposal

Andrew and I first met at Ella Performance Group, and I fell in love with him the moment I saw him. I knew it was meant to be, and we’d be together for the rest of our lives.

Andrew asked me to be his girlfriend twice; the first time I said no because I needed to think about it, but the second time he asked, I immediately said yes, and everything fell into place.

Andrew proposed to me at Runcorn’s Prospect Inn Weston Village. Andrew and his mother, Rosemary, made it romantic by decorating the table with love hearts, candles, and a banner.

Andrew asked the staff to put Prosecco on ice, but instead of making a toast, he ended up pouring the prosecco.

Andrew got down on one knee, pulled out the ring, and said, “Will you marry me?” Of course, I said, “Yes.”

Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” came on the radio in the background, and we danced joyfully as he proposed. It was perfect.

Alice in Wonderland theme wedding

We married at Runcorn’s All Saints Church Daresbury. This is our family church, as well as the birthplace of Lewis Carroll.

Because we were planning an Alice in Wonderland-themed wedding, this was the ideal location for our special day.

The church is stunning, and we adore the stained glass windows depicting characters from Alice in Wonderland.

Following the ceremony, we had a tea-party reception in a marquee at the family home. The marquee was beautifully decorated with the Alice in Wonderland theme.

During our tea party weding reception, we had a fantastic singer and guitarist who performed some of our favourite songs.

How many guests did you have and what did you wear?

All the guests that attended our Alice in Wonderland theme wedding were family and friends. We had 40 guests in total, including four bridesmaids, four ushers, one best man and three beautiful flower girls.

Andrew wore a blue sharkskin suit with a two-tone waistcoat, a pink tie, and brown shoes from Moss Bros. He looked very smart.

My wedding gown was a blush wide knee length gown with lace on top that I purchased from Paris Bridal in Widnes. I loved my dress.

The ushers were all dressed in matching blue suits with different coloured ties and brown shoes. Bridesmaids wore silver gowns and sequined tops.

The flower girls wore lovely pink and white dresses and they were carrying pink petals and flower bouquets, which was a lovely touch.

Standout moments

There was a special moment during the ceremony in the church when Andrew had a tear fall from his eye. He had to wipe it away with his handkerchief. It was a heartfelt moment that was caught by our photographer.

Also, I can remember, as I approached the altar, I noticed Andrew had a tear in his eye, so I placed my hand on his arm to comfort him.

Wedding planning tips

My advice to anyone planning a wedding. It takes time and patience to plan the perfect wedding, but it is well worth it when you are marrying the love of your life.

Plan ahead, take your time and book an amazing photographer.

Favourite picture?

The picture in which Andrew yelled “YES” and gave a fist pump as we left the chapel is his favourite. Our excitement and satisfaction are simply captured in the image.

My favourite photo has to be the one of Andrew and myself signing the book with the best man Mick, who is Andrew’s brother, and my chief bridesmaid Holly, who is my sister-in-law.

Would you recommend Wes Simpson Weddings to family and friends?

Yes, of course! Wes Simpson captured our Alice in Wonderland theme wedding perfectly.

We highly recommend Wes Simpson weddings to all our family and friends, and to any couples with Down’s syndrome reading our story. We hope their photos are as beautiful as ours.

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Time flies when you’re having fun, and your wedding day goes by in a flash. I take photographs that tell your love story in a genuine, artistic way, so you’ll never forget your wedding day or how you felt.

Are you looking for a laid-back and creative wedding photographer who will capture who you are and the most important moments in a natural, heartfelt manner? Then let’s talk about your wedding. Contact me today.

If you’re looking for more wedding stories, planning tips and wedding inspiration you can head to my blog. To see more of my work please visit my highlights page. If you’re planning a wedding and looking for a photographer to capture the magic of your wedding day, feel free to contact me.