NEWLYWEDS Michael and Ebony Whitehead have known each other since childhood and were acquainted when Michael was friends with Ebony’s older sister.

As they grew older the friendship blossomed into a relationship and years later, Michael proposed to Ebony in Rhodes while on holiday on July 21, 2017.

Ebony, 23, recalls the moment and said: “When he got down on one knee and proposed, I thought he was joking at first. I was in that much of a shock.”

Since then, Haltwhistle couple Ebony, who works as a children’s nurse, and Michael, 26, as a self-employed dryliner, planned and booked their wedding.

Ebony said: “We planned and booked our wedding in March, 2018, for September 12, 2020.

“As the pandemic hit in March 2020, we thought everything would be better for our wedding in the September, but as it got closer, it was apparent this wasn’t the case.”

The couple were determined not to let the pandemic ruin the big occasion and decided to postpone until the following February as they wanted their family to attend. That date also had to be postponed back to July 8 and rearranged ­— along with the couple’s hen and stag parties.

Ebony said: “Originally my hens had organised a trip to Portugal for four days for some sun, sea and cocktails and Michael’s best man, Sean, organised a weekend away to Düsseldorf for his stag do.

“But, unfortunately, both were cancelled due to Covid, so we both had nights out in Haltwhistle and managed to celebrate before the big day.”

Ebony added: “We found out we were expecting our first child in February 2021, so this was an added extra to all the last-minute wedding planning!”

Finally, when the big day finally arrived, on July 8, the couple were able to have family and friends surrounding them as they married at Le Petit Chateau in Otterburn. The day was made even better as they were lucky with the weather.

Ebony said: “It was the most beautiful venue. The night before it was absolutely chucking it down, but we could not have asked for nicer weather on the day of the wedding.”

At the start of the ceremony, Ebony had Hattie Acoustic from AMV music and she sang her down the aisle to the tune of I will wait by Mumford and sons.

“The song is one of mine and Michael’s personal songs. It was the most beautiful version of the song I’ve ever heard and had me in tears before I even set off down the aisle.”

The couple did no have a specific theme as they decorated with flowers with colours of whites, creams, greys and foliage, however, Ebony wanted to keep a family tradition.

She says: “My gran sadly passed away in 2019 but had wanted me to walk on gold as she did.”

“My grandmother, Jennifer, was married in Haltwhistle in 1963 and as a family tradition she walked down the aisle on gold. She was featured in the newspaper and the headline was ‘Haltwhistle bride walks on gold’.

The day was a success and after fulfilling family traditions and finally getting married after waiting so long because of Covid, it was time to relax.

“We had our canapés and drinks reception from 2pm with strawberry daiquiris and bottles of Heineken served along with a section of canapés.

"We then sat down for a wedding breakfast after the speeches at 4pm which was a traditional beef lunch along with wine and pink fizz for the toasts.”

The couple then surprised their guests with singing waiters at their wedding breakfast and performed for all the guests.

Ebony recalls: “Only myself, my mother and the best man knew about it! It got everybody in the mood and all our guests were so shocked but it was the highlight of the day!”

The couple’s first dance was You and I by the Crystal Fighters.

They enjoyed a mini moon in the Lake District and hope to enjoy a full honeymoon at a later date.