The familiar saying of 'absence makes the heart grow fonder' has never been more true for one couple who finally tied the knot after keeping in touch with each other for 26 years.
A change of circumstances led 43-year-olds Owen and Amanda Burgess, from Hexham, to finally be reunited.
"We met in 1996 at Robbs Tynedale Park where we both worked in the garden centre," Amanda explains.
"I left in 1998 to begin a career in financial planning in Newcastle, therefore I moved to Crawcrook.
"We kept in touch and between 2004 and 2018 we became a couple two short times but it wasn’t until I moved back to Hexham in 2017, when I needed the support of family and friends, that a stronger relationship developed."
Owen, who works at Egger, wanted to make sure Amanda knew she was the one for him and arranged a romantic proposal.
"It was during a romantic weekend at Beamish Hall Hotel in July 2021," Amanda recalls.
"The proposal was just before our evening meal in our beautiful hotel room.
"Owen had arranged for flowers, chocolates and champagne to be ordered to the room and got down on one knee."
After Amanda, a financial planning assistant at Armstrong Watson, said 'yes', the couple made sure to celebrate in style with hen and stag events.
"For my stag do, I decided on having two nights with friends," Owen said.
"One in Hexham at Vercellis and one in Newcastle.
"Whereas Amanda had a hen do at The Garden Station in Langley with an afternoon tea with close family and friends."
Amanda added: "Our wedding date was September 30, 2022, which was on Amanda’s grandparents' wedding anniversary."
"We married at 12.30pm and had 45 day guests. Our theme was a traditional wedding style in dusky pink colours.
"I wore an elegant Ronald Joyce gown in ivory with crystal beads and lace bodice and short train whichh was bought from Armstrong Fashion & Bridal Shop in Haltwhistle with an ivory and crystal fingertip veil and crystal hair piece from Studio19 in Hexham."
"Although the weather was terrible and was very wet and windy all day - it didn’t dampen the celebrations."
Amanda and Owen then welcomed an additional 50 guests for an evening reception which was a buffet of bacon and sausage sandwiches with wedges.
Amanda adds:"The evening reception was amazing and there was not a dry eye in the house during the ceremony and speeches.
"We all also enjoyed our three-tier cake - two lemon and one white chocolate and raspberry - which was made and decorated by my mam Judith Jackson."
"We then took to the floor and danced to I’ll Wait by the Strumbellas - which was a surprise for Owen, who had no idea it was changed at the last minute.
"Everyone then joined us to enjoy the DJ supplied by Slaley Hall.
"We had the most amazing day and are very grateful to Slaley Hall who made the day run smoothly without any problems.
"Everyone had a lovely time and enjoyed the day."
Who helped on the day
Photographer- Alice Elizabeth Photography
Ring style and supplier - 18ct traditional gold bands bought from Ashley Matthews Jewellers in Hexham.
Bouquets, including supplier - Dusky pink and white roses with gypsophila and eucalyptus leaves. Made by Margaret Ogle.
Hair was done by Studio19 in Hexham.
Make up was by Total Beauty in Hexham.
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