A woman who got married to a man in one of the most high-profile traveller communities has shared how she had to leave her old life behind, and cannot leave her home without her husband.
The pair abide by a more traditional type of family, Holly Joyce needs to follow her husband rules, or "what he says goes" type of attitude, reports the Daily Record. 27-year-old Holly met Dougie, 34, on social media platform Instagram back in September 2019.
The pair conversed casually over the platform, before they met in March 2020 at San Carlo's restaurant in Manchester. Dougie was convinced after a few hours that he knew he would "marry this woman".
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While Dougie has had previous relationships with women outside his traveller community, Holly had never dated a traveller before him. And now, Holly is unable to work, with her daily life focused on looking after the family and household.
Holly is also expected to follow her husband's every instruction, not leaving home without him. She also had to "give up" her old job as an air hostess.
Mum-of-two Holly, from Salford, Manchester, said: "It's been a whirlwind that's turned into a fairy-tale. The biggest difference being a traveller's wife is you must respect your husband - what he says goes.
"He wouldn't want me out at parties without him, we'd always go together. He's the man, so he can go out if he wants, but I'm the woman so I can only go out with him.
"I can go to the salon or out to the shops on my own, but he's very protective and worries about my safety if I'm out alone. I don't feel like I'm missing out because if I want to do something I just ask Dougie and we can do it together.
"I'd rather be with him anyway."
Holly said she was instantly attracted to Dougie, with his smile winning her heart over. Dougie felt it was "love at first sight" for him.
Holly's family were initially hesitant of the thought of their daughter marrying into a travelling community, but were also won over by Dougie. Holly was instantly friends with her husband's mother, Margaret Joyce, 56.
Dougie proposed to Holly at the gender reveal of their daughter Oceanna in December 2020. The pair married in a lavish ceremony at the Gorton Monastery in Manchester, in July 2022.
The extravagant ceremony cost over £60,000, and included four Rolls Royce cars, a £12,000 dress and champagne on tap. Dougie had planned to arrive in a helicopter, but unfortunately, the venue wouldn't allow him to land in the car park.
Holly's £12,000 Calla Blanche dress was designed especially for her, and took over a year to make. Sticking to traveller tradition, the evening do was segregated, with the women on one side and men on the other.
After dating for three years, Holly's dad Hugo - who has since sadly passed away - was the first one to be hesitant about his daughter dating Dougie. He knew Dougie's career as a bare-knuckle fighter, as he was one in his youth.
Dougie has had a successful career, and owns a bare-knuckle fighting club called 3D Fight Club. This career path and his high-profile within the community means he is challenged to fights a lot.
Holly admitted she worries about his fighting, and prefers not to watch. She, instead, would rather wait for him at home with cake, balloons and his favourite meal - spuds and cabbage.
Despite this eclectic profession, Holly insists that Dougie is a family man, and treats her "like a princess". Holly said: "Family is so important to travellers.
"I remember being so impressed by how Dougie treats his mum. He never answers back to his mother and has so much respect for her.
"He buys her flowers, designer shoes, and anything she wants. The way a man speaks to his mum says a lot, and Dougie has always been so loving and respectful towards her.
"My family were worried at first, but as soon as they saw how well he looks after me and how respectful he is, they soon approved. He's such an amazing dad - family is everything to him.
"There is a lot of pressure because there's a lot of competition amongst the community. It's all about who has got the best bags, the best shoes, the best jewellery.
"Dougie expects the house to be perfect, and to be looked after when he comes home from work. He doesn't even make his own drinks. It's quite different to my past relationships and it took some getting used to at first, but he looks after me and provides for our family so I'm happy to do it.
"If he's happy, I'm happy."
The couples loving journey - as well as a deep dive into the traveller community - can be seen in their new film, The Joyce Family Documentary. It is available to watch on Amazon Prime.
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