About Us

How It All Started

They met online in the autumn of 2014. Nick spotted a Mercedes in Matt's profile photo and took it as a good sign — someone who had their life together. Matt noticed Nick's white car and thought much the same. The Mercedes turned out to be a rental; Matt actually drove an Audi. Nick got over it.

What Nick thought was a casual meetup at GBK in the Trafford Centre turned out to be — according to Matt — very much a date. Matt remembers Nick being "very friendly and chatty" (those who know Nick will not be surprised). Nick walked away wondering if he'd see him again, not quite realising there was anything to wonder about. Over eleven years later, it's safe to say Matt was right.

Within days they saw each other again, and before long Nick was making the trip from Runcorn to Matt's flat in Manchester more often than not. On a drive up to Garstang to visit Matt's parents one evening, the subject of all the back and forth came up. They both remember this conversation slightly differently — Nick says Matt brought it up, Matt says Nick did — but the outcome was the same: Nick moved in. Less than six months after that first burger.

In January 2017, they bought their first home together. They're still in it.

Lucy

In February 2018, they welcomed Lucy into their home — a rescue dog from Cyprus and a black and white Labrador-Collie cross who inherited the daftest traits of both breeds. She arrived on the 19th of February and filled every room she walked into with chaos and warmth in equal measure.

She was always happy to go to new places without a care in the world — one of Matt's favourite memories is watching her run up and down a beach on the Isle of Wight, absolutely in her element.

Lucy passed away on the 30th of November 2021. She is very much missed, and will be there in spirit on the big day.

What They Love

Nick and Matt are big travellers, with a particular love for the United States. Their first long-haul trip was to Las Vegas for Nick's 30th in February 2022 — an idea from Nick's mum that he initially had reservations about. He was very wrong. It became his favourite city, and they've been back since. Matt loves it because it's a town that welcomes any and all types of people — everyone belongs.

Any trip abroad usually involves tracking down the nearest zoo or national park, from Red Rock Canyon in Nevada to Copenhagen Zoo and Washington DC's Smithsonian — both of which have pandas, and both of which were non-negotiable. Matt's favourite animal is the panda. The zoo obsession is, by all accounts, entirely mutual.

They have visited more zoos than they can count, in more cities than they can remember. It only made sense that they tie the knot at one.

At Home

When they're not travelling or at the zoo, you'll usually find them rewatching episodes of Bob's Burgers, Futurama, or South Park — or working through yet another rewatch of Star Trek, Babylon 5, Buffy, or Breaking Bad. The list goes on, and they're not sorry about it.

Nick also plays ice hockey, which as of early 2026 means practising with three different teams — sometimes four nights a week. Matt is very supportive. He also very much enjoys the peace and quiet, and on those nights he can actually get some work done.

The Proposal

On Christmas Day 2025, presents were exchanged as usual — Nick opened his from Matt, then Matt opened his from Nick. Nothing out of the ordinary. Then came the card. Inside was a scratchcard, and Nick handed him a coin. He scratched it off to reveal four words: Will you marry me?

Matt had a feeling something was coming, but he had no idea it was that. He said yes.

There was one last gift. Nick handed him a Christmas ornament engraved with Engaged 2025 — technically meant to be a keepsake for looking back on, but Nick had spotted that it let you pick the current year. So it doubled as a very well-timed souvenir.

Why Chester Zoo?

Chester Zoo is their local zoo and the one that started it all. It also happens to be the most visited zoo in the UK, the most popular paid attraction in England outside of London, and has been ranked the third best zoo in the world. It is home to over 30,000 animals across 500 species, spread over 130 acres — including the largest tropical biodome in the UK.

Not a bad spot for a wedding.