Real Couples // A British-American Wedding: Tammy + Hayley
/The romance of Tammy and Hayley (or ‘Tamley’ as they are affectionately known by their friends) was certainly a modern day one. They met and connected through Facebook because of their love of Jaegerbombs and chose to toast their marriage with them instead of the traditional Champagne in homage to how they first met.
"I first clapped eyes on Tammy in Leeds nightclub SinCity in 2013," said Hayley, "She was surrounded by women. When she caught my eye my heart was beating fast, I loved her sparkly eyes and beautiful smile. I didn't think that I would have a chance. On our first holiday together to the USA I knew that I wanted her to be my wife and when we arrived at Miami Beach with it's beautiful views I knew that's where I wanted to propose to her. On the day of the proposal I went to the beach to set up the scene and told Tammy to meet me there for breakfast. I was so nervous when she turned up and saw the message in the sand under some chocolates in a heart shape. It felt like I was waiting forever for her answer as she was in shock but finally she said 'Yes!' My heart melted and it was the best day of my life."
"I’m a real Yorkshire girl," says Tammy, "and we both love the sea so our wedding venue combined a beautiful Yorkshire setting at a gorgeous Victorian hotel with the most stunning sea view. We booked the whole hotel so we knew it would just be us and our family and friends which made us feel really comfortable there. We wanted a wedding that reflected our personalities and we both love America so the stars and stripes, red, white and blue colour theme was perfect for us, but we included the very traditional British fare (though not normally served at weddings) fish and chips as our evening wedding feast."
All brides go through a range of emotions on the morning of their wedding, and it was no different for Tammy as she was missing her late father with whom she had been very close. Tammy had two best women and they gave her the most beautiful and poignant gift, a small photo framed keyring that she could attach under her dress. This had the photo of her dear dad who sadly passed away in 2012. It was so symbolic as Tammy could feel that he was with her on this special day.
Hayley's best man Matthew was given a Lego superhero buttonhole instead of a flower as the couple loves Lego and Tammy gave Hayley a framed She-Hulk and Captain America to commemorate their wedding day.
Some of the photos show BSL (British Sign Language). The couple 'waving' with both hands in the air is the Deaf version of clapping. Instead of having a ‘first dance’, which neither felt comfortable with and as Tammy herself is a comedian, the couple opted for watching a hilarious deaf comedy act performed by their close friends. Everyone loved it.
Words and photos by Becky Bailey Photography
BECKY BAILEY
Becky Bailey is a photographer in the London area and is very proud of her Deaf identity. She is an artist and creative, an advocate for BSL, and serves both Deaf and hearing clients throughout the London area.
