Val and Ade’s seaside wedding was a true testament to their love story and who they truly are. At 58 and 59, and both marrying for the second time, they chose to celebrate their relationship in a way that felt relaxed, meaningful, and centred on the people who matter most, and a dress code that paid tribute to this. Their wedding took place on 14th June 2025 at All Saints Church in Mundesley, a location close to Ade’s childhood memories, with a laid-back reception at Trimingham Village Hall just along the coast. After 16+ years together, and a balcony proposal in Barbados that Ade secretly filmed, they decided it was finally time to make it official. From Crocs instead of formal shoes to a Colin & Connie Caterpillar cake, Val and Ade show us exactly what a wedding later in life can look like when you design it your own way. We catch up with Val to hear all about their journey from proposal to aisle…
“We met at work, I was the receptionist in a business centre where Ade rented an office He proposed to me on the balcony of our holiday hotel in Barbados in January 2023, having been together for 16 and a half years, we were getting ready for the manager’s cocktail party, he called me out to the balcony on the pretence of showing me something on the beach, he had set up his mobile phone to video his proposal”
“We were married in the church in the seaside town of Mundesley in Norfolk. Ade had spent many happy childhood holidays there. We held our reception in the next village along in their village hall, which had lots of outside space, which we wanted to utilise with outdoor games & a BBQ. We always knew that we would do our day our way, although I did use Instagram for inspirational ideas for decor”
“I wanted to wear a ‘proper’ wedding dress and did not face any challenges or opinions at all. I chose the exact style of dress I had envisioned Ade wanted to wear shorts & a shirt, no tie & to wear Crocs. We told all our guests that suits & ties were banned, that we wanted everyone to wear something they were comfortable in. We decided together what colour our bridal party ( our grandchildren) would wear, I chose the bridesmaid dresses & Ade chose his grandsons’ outfits to match his, including Crocs”
“Ade’s daughter from his first marriage was his best woman, her sons were his groomsmen & her daughter was a flower girl. My two daughters from my first marriage were our witnesses, and their 3 daughters were our bridesmaids and my maid of honour. We didn’t have to navigate any challenges around blending families, as our children were older when we got together, so all the girls get along great. To honour our absent loved ones, I had a photo of Ade’s parents in my bouquet & our vicar said a prayer for them”
“This time around (compared to our first marriage) was just relaxed, and about us celebrating our love and union with our immediate family and a few close friends. This wedding was just about having a lovely day together with our important people; the small details really did not matter. First time round felt like we had to do it; it was the natural progression. This time was because we both wanted to, to celebrate our love, we did not need an expensive wedding cake, we had a Colin & Connie the caterpillar cake from M&S”
“We had afternoon tea, a magician, outdoor games, a BBQ, and an ice cream van. We hired a Routemaster bus, which took me & my mum, who gave me away & our bridesmaids to the church & then took everyone on a drive along the coast & then onto our reception.”
What was the best part of your wedding day?
“Walking down the aisle to stand beside Ade to say our vows, then leaving the church to ‘Reach’ by S Club 7 and everyone dancing back up the aisle”
Do you have any advice for weddings later in life or for second marriages?
“Have the day you both want, traditions or not, it really does not matter, the main thing is that you finally get to marry your person”
The Team – A Relaxed Seaside Wedding in Norfolk
Photographer Lisa & Neil Photography @lisaandneil
Bride Val Hilfer @valhilfer / Magician Edd Crafer @eddcmagician / Florist Blooming Artificial @bloomingartificial/ Hair and Makeup Ana Lopes @analopes.beauty_hmua / Transport North Norfolk Vintage Bus Hire @norfolkvintagebushire / Cake Marks and Spencer @marksandspencerfood / Groom Suit and Accessories John Lewis @johnlewis and Crocs @crocs / Venue All Saints Church and Trimingham Hall / Dress Ann Bridal – Mori Lee
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