Daniel & Jessica

Dan and Jess met in August 2010 through Sea Cadets. Jess only went along because her younger brother Tom was nervous about attending on his own, so their grandma encouraged her to go with him. Tom stayed just long enough to receive the full uniform before deciding cadets was not for him, much like his earlier attempts at karate, football and trampolining. Safe to say Tom’s short cadet career turned out to be quite important after all.

Years later, Dan and Jess discovered that they had actually crossed paths long before Sea Cadets. Both of their families had been holidaying in Cornwall at the same time and staying on the same caravan park. Whilst looking through old family photos, they realised they each had pictures taken in St Ives of the exact same moment: a man climbing across a row of boats in the harbour whilst a crowd gathered to watch. Somewhere in that crowd, completely unaware of each other, they were both there.

Dan will always say it was love at first sight when they first ‘properly’ met. Jess is not entirely convinced, but she did quickly realise that Dan was going to become a very important part of her life. After a few months of teasing and banter around the unit (most notably Dan offering vegan Jess at the time, a plate of grass at the Trafalgar Dinner), they quickly became inseparable. On 22 December 2010 they went on their first date to the Trafford Centre, travelling there by bus, with Dan’s mum and dad accompanying him to the stop before seeing him off.

From those early days they grew up together. They shared the journey through education, graduated together, learned to drive, bought their first cars and eventually their first home together. As their careers developed they even found themselves working at the same institution, commuting together most days and, when schedules allowed, managing the occasional lunchtime date, although lately those moments have become a little rarer. Along the way they also welcomed two dogs into their lives: Snowy, who is very much missed, and Willow, who joined them as a puppy and is now three. Having met so young, much of their lives has been spent growing up side by side.

Dan proposed on 19 October 2023, much to the delight of friends and family who had been wondering how long it might take. In February this year they finally set the date for the wedding, leaving themselves only a short time to plan the most special day of their lives, which feels entirely on brand for them.

By the time they marry in August 2026, they will have been together for nearly sixteen years. They feel incredibly lucky to have built such a wonderful life together and look forward to celebrating their marriage with the friends and family who have been part of their journey.