His and hers bicycles... I'm sure no one is surprised to see bicycles at Thomas' wedding!

However, they aren't actually Tom's bikes, although he played a huge part in getting them both here today. The vintage bicycles belong to Nicole's parents - Edward and Marjolein.

The bicycle with the big beautiful basket is a Dutch-style bicycle from an English brand, Pashley, and belonged to Marjolein, Nicole's Mum, who would ride it to-and-from Nan & Grandad's house virtually every day when they were young (see picture).

The Springfield was custom built for Ed back in 1978, when they were living in Haarlem in The Netherlands - where he met Marjolein! The bike has been hanging on the basement wall for the last 30 years, but this year has been lovingly restored to its former glory by Ed and Thomas together.

Thomas and Nicole hope that a love of bicycles will continue to be passed down generations, now these incredible bikes are as good as new once more.

Nicole is half Dutch on her Mum's side (Marjolein). Marjolein sadly died in 2011, but her sisters, Pauline and Colette, have kindly given Nicole & Thomas some bridal wedding clogs as a memory of Nicole's Dutch heritage.

In the Netherlands, the custom of a hopeful groom carving his future bride wedding clogs is very old. The story goes that fisherman would spend all winter delicately carving intricate designs into wooden clogs. As he set sail with the fishing fleet in the Spring, he would give the clogs to his girl at the quay, replacing the verbal marriage proposal. If she said yes, she would be wearing the clogs as he sailed back into the harbour, and up until the wedding day. If she said no, sadly the clogs would probably end up in the fire. After the wedding, the clogs were hung on the wall as a lifelong talisman, too beautiful to wear outside.

Nicole & Thomas' wedding clogs were carved by a Dutch man called Ed Greuze (pictured), who was delighted to hear his clogs were for an English couple living in Switzerland. Below, you can see pictures of the making of the clogs.

The tradition of hanging bells around cows’ necks dates back to the Middle Ages in Europe. The cowbells allow farmers to locate their wandering cattle by following the unique sound of each bell in the mountains and forests. Larger, more ornately decorated bells are worn by cows during ceremonial parades and festivals, and given as presents for important celebrations, such as weddings. Listen out for the beautiful tone as you get called for our Wedding Feast!

What do Nicole & Thomas love just as much as cycling? Of course, it's the mountains and SKIING! These incredible wooden skis from c.1948 are another piece of Switzerland that we are bringing to our wedding. We cannot wait to see you all sign our skis, and for us to hang these on the wall of our future house one day, a beautiful memory of our special day celebrating together.