CULTURE EDITION
Four inspiring stories where couples meet, fall in love and tie the knot in Cambridge LOCAL LOVE STORIES
Red velvet cake at Fitzbillies Connie Gillespie and Danny Coleman celebrated their engagement at Fitzbillies in January 2025. “We met while studying at Emmanuel College in 2019-20,” says Connie. “Danny has been coming to Fitzbillies since he was a child, so it has become one of our regular haunts, and is where I bring my parents whenever they visit. “We love Fitzbillies, so of course we wanted to celebrate here. We’re getting married in 2026 and are already planning our wedding cake. Fitzbillies’ red velvet cake is Danny’s favourite, so it will be a three-tier, red velvet creation!”
Elegance and cathedral views Jess and Gavin Rowland tied the knot at The Old Hall Ely in January 2017. “We’d been together for 12 years when Gav proposed. He was planning a romantic trip to the seaside, only it rained, so we got there, turned around and went back to our local pub for lunch. I had no idea he was going to propose later – it came as a complete surprise. We chose The Old Hall as our venue because it’s so beautiful and they do everything for you, which takes away the stress. You can see Ely Cathedral from the gardens – a stunning backdrop for photos in winter, otherwise it could look quite bleak. “Our photographer Liz Greenhalgh was absolutely fantastic and so friendly. She became a natural part of the wedding party, and even helped my mum get me into my dress – an advantage to having a female photographer! She made us all feel so comfortable.”
Magic at South Farm Charli and Dom Spencer had a fantastic wedding reception at South Farm in June 2023. “Dom and I met through a mutual friend, Michael, in 2015,” says Charli. “That summer, Michael hosted a party at his mum’s in Cambridge, where Dom and I had an instant connection: our eyes met across a circle of people playing Cards Against Humanity when we both made a comment about The Lord of the Rings . We chatted all night, and I serenaded him with a very bad rendition of Noah and the Whale’s Five Years Time on a ukulele! “Dom proposed on our five-year anniversary. We had our ceremony at a local church, drinks reception in the lovely South Farm gardens, an amazing meal in their Tudor Barn and dancing in the Horse Barn, with its funky light-up floor! Dom and I are big film nerds, so we had themed tables, featuring Star Wars , The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter . It was so fun to plan! “Later in the evening, the dance floor was so much fun. We provided inflatable lightsabers and instruments, so we got some brilliant photos. It was the happiest, most emotional, joyful and wonderful day!”
Lucky horseshoes Cambridge Edition editor Liz Potter and her husband Andrew got married on a sunny Wednesday in October 2010. “Andrew and I met through a website called Dating Direct,” she says. “Our first proper date was at The Three Horseshoes, Madingley. Andrew is so funny and kind, I realised early on he’d be excellent marriage material… so I gave him my door key within a month! “After a few years living together he proposed to me, sitting on the sofa, and we went to Harriet Kelsall to find a suitable diamond sparkler to seal the deal. We married at Shire Hall registry office and had the reception at The Three Horseshoes, where chef Richard Stokes served up an amazing feast. As it was an autumn wedding, we had hedgerow fruits in champagne cocktails and my bouquet was in burgundy flowers, by Emily Tallulah. It was truly one of the best days of our lives.”
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