How Can You Tell When You've Found "The One"? 3 Couples from London Share Their Meet-Cute Stories.

      It's easy to get swept up in wedding planning, honing in on the intricate details such as the precise floral arrangements, the exact font for your wedding invitations, or the perfect playlist to set the mood for the night; not to mention the larger choices like the dress and rings, carefully chosen months in advance. Yet, the most important aspect, and the one that should truly captivate us, is the person you’ll see at the end of the aisle. In an issue focused on the joy of getting married, we thought it fitting to highlight what fundamentally defines a marriage. Indeed, witnessing the heartfelt love between two individuals committing to each other—an act typically kept private within the daily nuances of a relationship—is the most poignant part of a wedding, deserving of its own moment. But how can you tell when you've found "The One"? Is it the flutter of excitement when their name appears on your phone during your early conversations? The little, involuntary smile that lights up your face when you see them after a long day, even if you've been living together for a while? Or is it the profound contentment that washes over you at night, just before you drift off to sleep, knowing you get to share tomorrow with them? The answer varies depending on who you ask, which is why we have gathered three creative couples living in London to share their real-life stories of meeting, falling in love, getting married, and recognizing that it was meant to be. As Lana Del Rey sings in her ballad "Margaret", when you know, you know…

      **Real Life Couples on How They Met "The One"**

      **Alex Thomas-Smith and Ciaran Thomas-Smith**

      Occupations: Actors

      Star Signs: Cancer and Taurus

      Time Married: 7 months

      First-Dance Song: "We didn’t have a first dance, but we walked down the aisle to 'I Say A Little Prayer' by Aretha Franklin."

      Film or TV Couple They Identify With: "We are definitely Fitz and Olivia from Scandal (minus the affair, of course). The affectionate puppy dog and the fierce one."

      You can tell things are destined when you recognize your forever partner from the very first date, or even from the moment you first make eye contact. For Alex Thomas-Smith, they realized that their now-husband Ciaran was "The One" right from the beginning, even after they met through social media. "It was love at first sight; I felt a definite spark when I saw him," they share. "I met Ciaran when he slid into my DMs, responding to a story I posted about Princess Diana (that indicated he had great taste). I saw his stunning face in his thumbnail, and we ended up chatting daily for a couple of weeks before actually meeting. He possesses a magnetic energy that brightens my life. I was somewhat skeptical about love at that point, so I tried to keep my emotions in check, but our first date evolved into a weekend, which turned into two weeks. Since we met, we only wanted to be together."

      "I used to view marriage as the endpoint, but it’s truly just the beginning. It feels like we’ve become a complete unit. It’s exhilarating to think about what our future holds."

      And that's precisely what they did, proposing the idea of a permanent commitment on their one-month anniversary. "Ciaran, of course, said no but told me to ask again in a few years," Alex recalls. "It was as if we both sensed this was leading somewhere. I knew even then that he was the only person I wanted to spend my life with. Being with him felt effortless, and I wanted to preserve that forever while building a life together."

      This sense of comfort with each other resonates deeply with Ciaran as well. "I feel a calm around Alex that I've never felt with anyone else; an immediate comfort that lets me be myself while also encouraging me to be the best version of myself," he explains.

      "Our love goes beyond flowers or chocolates, though those are nice too. It’s knowing that this person will be your staunchest supporter in anything you pursue; Alex is and will always be my greatest champion, and I strive daily to demonstrate to them that I will love them, whatever path they choose, as long as they are happy. It’s more profound than simply being 'partners', so marrying felt entirely natural."

      "For me, it’s crucial that queer individuals marry," Alex states. "We fought for that right, and it’s something that resonates deeply with me. Our love is as legitimate as anyone else’s, and our marriage isn’t just a celebration of our bond; it’s also a declaration of resilience and protest. Queer love is here to stay."

      **Iona Judd and Elliot Mason**

      Occupations: Creative director and tailor

      Star Signs: Cancer and Taurus

      Time Married: