Jessica and Matthew were married on 3rd October 2025 at Cooling Castle Barn in Kent. From the very beginning, their wedding day felt deeply personal – full of thoughtful details, genuine emotion, and the kind of laughter that comes from a room full of people who truly know and love the couple at the centre of it all.
Morning preparations
The day began at Cooling Castle Barn with Jessica getting ready on site alongside her bridesmaids. The atmosphere in the morning was calm, warm and full of anticipation – the kind of energy that builds quietly before a big moment. There was laughter, nervous excitement, and the occasional pause where everything seemed to sink in.
One of the most memorable parts of the morning came through the exchange of gifts. As well as thoughtful presents shared between Jessica and Matthew, there were also gifts for the bridal party – moments that brought real, unfiltered reactions and set an emotional tone for the day ahead.
What made the morning truly unique, though, was something none of us had ever seen done in quite this way before. Alongside a handwritten letter, Matthew surprised Jessica with a full video message – a deeply personal film he had carefully planned, written and recorded just for her. Rather than a few spoken words, this was a beautifully crafted journey through their relationship, told entirely in Matthew’s own voice.
The video traced their story from the very beginning – from the day they first met in January 2022, through early dates, family weddings, anniversaries, trips away, and the everyday moments that quietly build a life together. It led all the way up to Matthew’s proposal in New York, a moment that clearly meant the world to both of them. Watching Jessica experience that video was incredibly moving – the room fell silent, and there were tears, smiles, and laughter all at once. It was one of those moments that perfectly captured who they are as a couple.
The morning also benefitted from the presence of Mel Foster, whose energy is always impossible to miss. Mel brings such a warm, reassuring and genuinely joyful presence into a room – she has a way of making people feel instantly comfortable, and that was especially true here. Her calm confidence and infectious personality helped keep everything flowing smoothly, and she was a huge part of creating such a relaxed atmosphere during prep.
The ceremony
The ceremony took place at Cooling Castle Barn and was led by celebrant Martin, with Sarah acting as registrar. It struck a perfect balance between heartfelt and relaxed, with moments of emotion sitting naturally alongside gentle humour and warmth.
As Jessica made her way into the ceremony space and joined Matthew at the front, there was a noticeable shift in the room – that collective breath everyone seems to take when the moment truly arrives. The vows were spoken with sincerity and confidence, and as rings were exchanged, you could see just how grounded and sure they were in one another.
The ceremony ended with a huge round of applause as Jessica and Matthew were pronounced husband and wife, and from that point on, the day moved effortlessly into celebration.
The reception
After the ceremony, guests gathered to enjoy drinks and conversation before moving into the reception. There was a real buzz in the room – that post-ceremony release where everyone relaxes, smiles widen, and the focus shifts fully to celebrating.
The wedding breakfast flowed naturally into the speeches, with friends and family fully engaged from the first word to the last.
Speeches
The speeches were one of the standout parts of the day – long, entertaining, emotional, and full of personality. Each one added another layer to Jessica and Matthew’s story, and together they painted a brilliant picture of the couple they are and the life they’re building.
Jessica’s father, Kevin, opened the speeches with warmth and humour. He spoke proudly of all his daughters and shared stories from Jessica’s life that had the room laughing out loud. One particularly memorable moment involved Jessica’s very first driving lesson – a Renault Clio, a humpback bridge, and all four wheels briefly leaving the ground. Beyond the laughter, Kevin spoke movingly about watching Jessica and Matthew during their vows, describing it as one of the clearest and most genuine displays of love he’d ever seen at a wedding.
Matthew’s father, Mark, followed with a heartfelt speech full of pride and affection. He spoke about the dedication Jessica and Matthew had shown in planning their day, often after long days at work, and how naturally compatible they are. Mark reflected on how Jessica brought warmth, energy and life into their home, and how impossible it is not to be drawn in by her personality. His words were honest and emotional, and it was clear how proud he is of them both.
Best men Louis and Tom then took over and completely changed the pace – delivering a brilliantly funny speech packed with quick wit, playful roasting, and perfectly timed one-liners. Matthew’s love of Liverpool FC became a running theme, along with affectionate jokes about his habits and quirks. The room was in stitches throughout, but beneath the humour was a genuine affection and loyalty that shone through. They finished by raising a glass to Jessica for choosing Matthew, and to Matthew for somehow “punching above his weight”, which brought the house down.
Matthew closed the speeches with a deeply emotional and sincere thank you. He began by acknowledging loved ones who could not be there in person, before thanking both families for their unwavering support. He spoke warmly about Jessica’s parents for welcoming him into their family, and about his own parents for their constant love and guidance.
He also paid tribute to the bridesmaids and best men, thanking them for everything they had done in the build-up to the wedding. But the heart of his speech was reserved for Jessica. Matthew spoke about how they met, how everything felt right from the very beginning, and how grateful he is for her strength, kindness and unwavering support – particularly through more challenging times. It was honest, vulnerable, and incredibly moving, and it ended with a promise of forever that said everything that needed to be said.
Evening celebrations
As the evening continued, the focus shifted fully to celebration. With the formalities complete, Jessica and Matthew were able to relax and enjoy the night they had planned so carefully – surrounded by friends, family, laughter and music, ready to dance and celebrate into the night as newlyweds.
Note from Talking Fly
Jessica and Matthew – thank you so much for having me along to capture your day at Cooling Castle Barn. From the emotion of the morning and that unforgettable video message, to the warmth of your ceremony and the brilliant speeches, it was a joy to film from start to finish. Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness as Mr & Mrs King.
Supplier credits
- Photographer: MF Photography & Nicky Thomas
- Florist: Chic Weddings & Michelle Lewis Flowers
- Dress / Suits Designer: Kiss the Bride & Bennett’s Menswear
- Band / DJ / Entertainment: The Redfords
- Make-Up Artist: Katie Hawkins
- Decor / Styling: Chic Weddings
- Other Suppliers: Twenty 20 Event Entertainment