A couple who tied the knot at Hexham Abbey says that they had 'the day of their dreams' and Hexham will always hold a special place in their hearts.

Lauren and Ryan Bolam met on a night out in Newcastle, while it w as love at first sight- they had to postpone any dates till Ryan returned from working abroad.

“Ryan is a Staff Sergeant in the British Army, so he got posted to Kenya after our first meeting,” Lauren said, “So we could only talk and text for a few months until he was posted home again in April 2019 when we finally had our first date.”

Fast forward to a year later, Ryan knew Lauren was the one and planned to propose to her in a special way.

He said: “I had organised a weekend away at Hoarcross Hall Hotel and Spa for Lauren’s 30th Birthday in May 2020, unfortunately this was postponed due to Covid.

“So I tried again on September 26 2020. We had a lovely morning in the spa and in the afternoon the had a picnic on the grounds.

“As we finished eating and Lauren packed up the picnic and then turned around, to see that I was down on one knee asking her to marry me.”

After the proposal, the couples next plans were what to do for a hen and stag do.

HM Treasurer Lauren said:"I had two hen parties, one for family in Newcastle for afternoon tea in Leila Lily’s and then a bar hop around the city centre.

"I then had a weekend in Leeds with friends that my amazing Maid of Honour organised that included, go karting, bottomless brunch, dart games at flight club and finishing off the night at Doll House.

Ryan also had a jam-packed stag, he said: "My stag was organised by my best man in Newcastle, his outfit for the day was a Sunderland T shirt, much to my disgust. We went go karting, axe throwing and then a bar crawl."

On April 30 2022 , Ryan and Lauren married in Hexham Abbey and had their evening party in the Hexham Abbey Function Rooms.

"We had the theme of blush and sage green rustic theme, my dress was Josie by Rebecca Ingram at Maggie Sottero supplied by Victoria Robson Bridal Northallerton and Ryan wore Military Number One Dress.

"Ryan's best man was his best friend Michael Pinchen and our usher was my brother James Kirkby. "I had my cousin as Megan Hindmarch as my maid of honour, friends Pili Gurney, Fran Lowes, Lauren Fallows as bridesmaids and Ryan's seven-year-old niece Mya Madzimure as my flower girl."

The couple then welcomed extra guests to the evening meal and party where they enjoyed a 3 tier cake - Victoria sponge, chocolate and carrot cake and first dance to True by Spandau Ballet.

After the wedding, the couple enjoyed their honeymoon in the Maldives.