Gosport couple's wedding is their 'most treasured' day

Getting asked on a date during a weekly shop at Tesco, in Gosport, is perhaps not the most conventional way to express a romantic interest.
Matthew and Abi on their wedding day. Picture: Carla Mortimer PhotographyMatthew and Abi on their wedding day. Picture: Carla Mortimer Photography
Matthew and Abi on their wedding day. Picture: Carla Mortimer Photography

However, it definitely worked out for Abi, née Jukes, and Matthew Prescott, from Gosport, who married in a beautiful ceremony at St Faith’s Church, Lee-on-the-Solent.

Abi, 27, smiles and says: ‘We met in April 2012 at Tesco in Gosport.

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‘I was working there at the time and he asked for my number while he was doing his shopping. We vaguely knew each other through friends but it all went from there.

The happy couple on their wedding day. Picture: Carla Mortimer PhotographyThe happy couple on their wedding day. Picture: Carla Mortimer Photography
The happy couple on their wedding day. Picture: Carla Mortimer Photography

‘Matthew loves fishing so we used to do that a lot on dates. Our first anniversary was spent at Stokes Bay, Gosport, fishing.’

Three years later, after the birth of their daughter Jessica, Matthew, 28, got down on one knee while he and Abi were on a mini-break at Solent Hotel and Spa.

‘We put the wedding on hold for a while because we wanted our daughter to be a part of it and also to save some money. Jessica was our flower girl,’ explains Abi.

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‘My nan and grandad helped a lot with the wedding and so did my mother-in-law, so I didn’t find it too stressful.

Abi with her daughter Jessica on the morning of the wedding. Picture: Carla Mortimer PhotographyAbi with her daughter Jessica on the morning of the wedding. Picture: Carla Mortimer Photography
Abi with her daughter Jessica on the morning of the wedding. Picture: Carla Mortimer Photography

‘The only thing I was stressed about was the weather. It was meant to rain and the day before when we were dropping things off at our reception, it was tipping it down. But when I woke up on the morning, it was a glorious day. It was meant to be.’

Matthew and Abi tied the knot on August 17, 2019, in front of 80 guests and Abi says their wedding is one of her ‘most treasured’ memories.

She says: ‘My grandad walked me down the aisle. I didn’t know at the time, but he had been diagnosed with cancer. He died a few months later.

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‘One of the most treasured moments I have is him walking me down the aisle and us being in the car together driving to the church.

‘He was joking around and saying silly things to make me laugh. He told me a week later about his diagnosis because he said he didn’t want to ruin my day.’

Abi says she has so many favourite moments from the day, but getting ready on the morning of her wedding was also a highlight.

She says: ‘I loved getting ready with my bridesmaids in the morning. Matt had sent me some flowers and it was such a happy time.

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‘Seeing everyone getting ready was so fun. I had my mum, mother-in-law, nan, grandad, daughter and three bridesmaids with me.

‘I loved walking down the aisle and seeing Matt too. When we had our pictures done, it was just us together, which was fun.

‘For the reception, I asked one of my family friends to write a speech for us. I loved it but it was also nice because it was a surprise.

‘Brides normally know everything that’s going to happen at the wedding, so it was nice to have a surprise.

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‘The atmosphere in the evening was something else. I felt so loved and everyone was there to celebrate you.'

The Prescotts were planning their honeymoon for this year, however their plans are now on hold.

When asked her favourite thing about her new husband, Abi says: ‘Matt has such a caring personality. He’s one of a kind and has made me who I am.

‘I wouldn’t change him for the world. He makes me laugh everyday.’

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