Sometimes love finds us in the most unexpected ways. For Megan and Ryan, it all began with a little matchmaking… from their mums.
How They Met & The Perfect Proposal
In Megan’s words:
“Ryan and I met through our mums, surprisingly enough. I wasn’t having much luck with online dating at the time, and I was working with Ryan’s mum, who told me all about her single son (well, she offered me two of her sons actually!) and said we’d be a great match.”
Though Megan was nervous to message him first, a little encouragement from her auntie and cousin pushed her to reach out. Ryan’s response? “What has my mum said then?” And the rest, as they say, is history.
From their very first date, sparks flew. Megan describes it as love at first sight. Fast forward five years, a home together, and a beautiful sausage dog named Buzz (who was incorporated into the wedding on custom napkins) later, Ryan proposed on their first holiday as just the two of them.
“It was in Tenerife, on a beautiful rocky beach just outside our hotel complex. It was intimate, personal, and just the way I would’ve wanted it — no fuss, just us, the sea, and the setting sun. It was everything I dreamed of.”
Why They Chose Elms Barn
Megan and Ryan first discovered Elms Barn online, drawn in by the stunning images especially the iconic Queen Anne house that fronts the venue.
“I remember saying we’d look at a few venues and not settle on the first one we saw, but that went out the window the moment we visited. It was even more beautiful in person, which I didn’t think was possible. It was a perfect autumn day, the gardens were colourful, and as I walked through the ceremony garden, all I could think was ‘one day I’ll marry here.’ And I did.”
For Megan, the venue’s Bridgerton vibes sealed the deal: timeless, elegant, and full of character.
Styling the Day: Timeless Meets Playful
Megan always had a vision: olive green and ivory, timeless colours that would never go out of style.
“I’ve had the Pinterest board for years. I always knew the style I wanted soft, romantic, classic.”
But she also wanted to bring a playful touch. Inspired by Bridgerton, Megan added a pastel-coloured floral arch to the barn entrance.
“It was one of the most complimented features of the day! The pastel colours were fun and added a pop of joy. It was the perfect photo spot, and I’m so glad we went for it.”
Favourite Moments
There were so many stand-out moments, but Megan’s top memories were filled with emotion and love:
First Looks: Seeing her parents, brother, grandparents, and bridal party during first looks made the day feel beautifully surreal.
The Aisle: Walking down the aisle with her dad to Ryan, who was waiting to marry her.
(this was actually captured in 360 if you want to see how a magical a ceremony can be in our rose garden drop us an email)
Celebrating: The energy, the joy, the overwhelming feeling of being surrounded by love, Megan says she’s never felt anything like it.
A Wedding Day Story to Remember
When asked about funny memories, Megan laughed about her slightly tipsy moment later in the evening:
“I just kept saying, ‘Give me 10 minutes, I need a nap!’ Apparently, I said it over and over!”
Megan’s Advice to Future Elms Barn Couples
“Enjoy every single second of your day. Take moments to pause with your partner and soak it all in. And take as many couple photos as you can: we went everywhere: the bridge, the front of the house, the ceremony garden, the woodland. The more, the better!”
Her biggest tip?
“Take your time, slow down, and enjoy the ride it really does go so quickly.”
The Dream Team
Photographer: Reana Sylvana brought so much fun and laughter to the photos, she made Megan & Ryan feel so comfortable and at ease. She captured the magical day so beautifully and turned Megan’s Pinterest board into a reality.
Hair: The bridal party’s hair was beautifully styled by Evie & Christie at Madams. Megan’s own hair was done by her talented auntie Nicola.
Makeup: Ellie Mayhew, whose warmth and kindness made the morning so special. Megan says, “I’d book her again in a heartbeat.”
Dress: Wed2B, with bespoke alterations by Evie at Naya Bridal in Coltishall. “Evie made me feel so comfortable I couldn’t recommend her enough.”
Groom’s Suit: Moss Bros, Norwich.
Megan’s final words:
“Thank you again for everything, Ruth. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you and everyone at Elms Barn. I’m so sad it’s over, but we’ll cherish these beautiful memories for a lifetime.” It was amazing to be part of Megan and Ryan’s day and we cannot wait to see what the future has in store for this fabulous couple
Photo from the amazing Reana Sylvana