When Sam met Sam: A white winter wedding in North Yorkshire

It was a romance that began after meeting in a small country pub called The Bay Horse in Wetherby.

Long-haul flight attendant Samantha Hughes, 36, and Sam Gilbert, 37 overcame distance and job challenges to make sure love soon blossomed.

“After five months of dating, I knew it was Sammie I wanted to be with; who I had been holding out for all this time,” groom Sam, an account manager, says.

Christmas rolled around just a few months later and Sam planned to pop the question. “I had asked the landlord of The Bay Horse if it would be possible for me to propose in the pub – where we met. He agreed,” explains Sam. The landlord opened up the venue especially for the couple and of course it was a huge success when Samantha said “yes” accompanied by some tears.

The white winter wedding was postponed after they found out they were expecting their first child, Thomas. But it soon arrived on December 28, 2014. “The Bay Horse is a stone throw away from the church so all the boys met up there first for a pre-wedding drink or two,” says Sam.

And the day wasn’t just about the couple, but their little boy too. “To celebrate Thomas who is now one, we also surprised our wedding congregation with his christening on the same day as our wedding,” smiles Sam.

Photos courtesy of Bridgwood Wedding Photography.

Sam and his groomsmen wore navy three piece tails from Whitford & Ward.

“The whole day went so well, a dream really,” says Sam.

Samantha “felt a million dollars” in her delicate Pronovias Spanish lace, fitted fishtail gown with a detachable high-neck top.

“Sammie and I truly are a clone of one another. We laugh at the same things, share the same likes and dislikes, love to travel, experience new places, and have a passion for adventure,” beams the groom.

The pair recently honeymooned on safari at Ulusaba, South Africa – Sir Richard Branson’s private game reserve.