Engagement in historic York opens path to perfect wedding

It was a whirlwind romance for the couple, of Hambleton, who met through family.

Mark proposed on the wall in York overlooking the Cathedral where they had visited on their first trip away together.

“He even got down on one knee,” said Andrea, “he had purchased the ring while we were there but to stop me from seeing it, he then bought a bag from Kath Kidston so that he could hide it from me.”

On their wedding day they kept a few surprises back for their guests including music from saxophonist Calvin Henry and band Line of Fire who are mainly firefighters who Mark works with.

“One of the nicest things for us during the ceremony was how relaxed our wonderful registrar made us feel,” said Andrea.

“Our little girl Madeleine was not content with sitting down quietly and watching us get married, she was adamant that she was going to be involved and they were more than happy for that to happen.

“She ended up spending the most part of the ceremony in our arms.”

Sadly in November, Mark’s dad passed away but he insisted that whatever happened they were still to be married on February 16th.

Said Andrea: “We obviously wanted some way to include him in the wedding, so we asked Emma if she could incorporate his old pocket watch in my bouquet. She did it and it made it that little bit more personal to us.”

Mark, 34, and Andrea, 36 chose the day because the English weather can never be trusted - a smart move which meant, unlike the disappointment of summer rain, if it was fine it was simply a bonus.

Andrea added: “Mark’s stand out moment was during the best man’s speech. He somehow managed to turn the role of embarrassing him onto me by producing a less than flattering 5ft tall photo of me in my younger days.

“We didn’t even know he had the small version in the first place.

“Our first dance was James Arthur – Say You Won’t Let Go, which again Madeleine decided she was joining us for.

“It became even more special when it started snowing indoors. Our last dance was Green Day – Hope You Had The Time Of Your Life.

“The DJ was excellent, he catered for quite a varied musical taste and had quite a novel way of getting the first dance going, but I don’t want to spoil his trick!

“Mark had prepared a little surprise for me outside in the garden by having the wooden gazebo decorated with twinkling lights. We managed a little escape to enjoy some time on our own.

“I feel privileged to have had the wedding of my dreams just how I wanted it to be from start to finish.

“I got to marry my best friend in the company of our close friends and family. Some had travelled some distance to be there, with one bridesmaid even coming from New Zealand.

“I just wanted a relaxed party atmosphere mixed with a little bit of tradition and that was exactly what I got.

“Now we have got the honeymoon to look forwards to and the rest of our lives together.”

Mark added: “I cannot believe how calm and organised Andrea was from start to finish! Apart from a blip with the wedding dress, everything seemed to be so easy and straight forward.

“I think the most stressful part of the whole process was me getting to The Villa on time.

“I count myself to be the luckiest man in the world to have married such a beautiful, caring and thoughtful woman and I know Madeleine and I couldn’t have a better wife and mum.

Photos: H2 Photography 07902 156237 www.h2photography.co.uk