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Alison Hargreaves Guides for Brides Bio
Alison Hargreaves Updated:
4th of July 2022

It was a match made in heaven for head girl Lydia and head boy Matthew who tied the knot at Bicester’s beautiful Tythe Barn.

Sweethearts from their Thame schooldays, Lydia and Matthew’s love for one another lasted throughout their University careers, and after graduating, they set out to travel the world together. As they prepared to come home, after many adventures, Matthew sprung the greatest surprise of the trip by proposing to Lydia on the beach in Ecuador.

They chose the beautiful Tythe Barn in Bicester as the perfect setting for their ceremony and reception. By then, Lydia was teaching in Manchester, so lots of travelling back and forth was needed, but her mum, she confides, was a huge help.

Despite taking her own advice very seriously ‘Make lots of lists, it helps you keep calm on the day!’, there was a heart-stopping moment just before the ceremony when Lydia realised that they had forgotten to bring printed out versions of their promises to read. Modern technology saved the day, and Lydia was able to download versions onto her ipod, which the staff at the venue kindly printed out.

Unbeknownst to the happy couple, a friend had compiled a DVD of messages from some of their friends, which was played as a surprise after the meal.

Venue: The Tythe Barn
Bridal Gown: Anna McDonald
Jeweller: Payne & Son Oxford
Photography: Rob Wheal Photography

Alison Hargreaves Guides for Brides Bio

About the author


Alison Hargreaves

Alison has been advising brides, grooms and bridesmaids for more than 25 years. She has an unrivalled knowledge of the British wedding industry and frequently appears on podcasts and expert panels. She regularly attends international wedding conferences to keep the UK at the forefront of wedding planning trends.

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