Once upon a vibrant summer’s day in Brighton, during the joyful whirlwind of Pride 2019, destiny stepped in. Chris, marching proudly with the Brighton Sea Serpents rugby team, caught sight of Craig, who had joined from the South London Stags. Amidst a sea of celebration, glances turned to smiles, and smiles sparked the beginnings of something extraordinary.
Their moment arrived, unexpectedly, to the beat of a nostalgic anthem – “Tragedy” by Steps. As if choreographed by fate itself, both Chris and Craig broke into the full dance routine on Brighton High Street, drawing cheers from the crowd. It was a spontaneous burst of joy, and in that shared rhythm, something magical began.
They spent the rest of that weekend wrapped in each other’s laughter and curiosity, weaving the early threads of what would become a deep and enduring love. In the weeks that followed, dates filled with musicals, delicious meals, and stolen moments transformed their spark into something real.
Just five months later, life threw them a curveball: Chris moved to Manchester for work, and soon after, the world paused with the COVID lockdown looming. With hearts already entwined, Chris asked Craig to join him in his 17th-floor tower block flat in Eccles – a far cry from glamorous, but full of heart. With hastily arranged furniture and a leap of faith, Craig moved in. What might have taken years happened in a heartbeat, and so, Craig became a happy northern immigrant.
As time passed, so did milestones. Together, they built a life in Media City, Salford – complete with the luxury of two bathrooms and the love that only grows deeper with the years.
Then came Venice, bathed in the soft gold of a June sun. On the 19th of June, 2023, following a visit to a glass-blowing studio’s gloryhole (a far more magical experience than it sounds!), Craig, with nerves dancing beneath the surface, asked the question that would change everything. With the gentle power of Stevie Nicks singing Seven Wonders in the background, Chris answered simply, “Yes, Of course.”
It was not on Craig’s list of potential expected responses – but it was perfect.
Now, as they step into forever, it’s only fitting that their wedding be held in a castle, where romance meets ritual. They’ll celebrate with two ceremonies: a legal union in the grand hall, and a sacred Pagan handfasting deep within the enchanted woods that surround the castle, honouring Chris’s spiritual path and their shared journey.
The handfasting—an ancient rite where their hands will be bound in coloured cords—symbolizes not just their commitment, but the weaving of their lives into one. Rooted in nature, embraced by magic, and sealed with love, their wedding will be a celebration of everything they are and everything they’ve become – together.