TWO business owners tied the knot after eight years in front of family and friends before jetting off to the Greek Islands for their honeymoon.
Brian Hamilton and Katherine Lovat married at Healey Barn, Riding Mill on July 7, 2023, after managing a long-distance relationship between Kirkwhelpington, Northumberland, and Sydney, Australia.
The pair now live in Belsay, but could not part ways with 'down under' so they own and manage a distribution company together in Sydney, Australia.
"We met about 8 years ago through work," Katherine said.
"Brian was originally from Bristol but lived in Sydney at the time and still spends a lot of time there.
"It has been a very long distance relationship and it has been hard at times but we’ve made it work.
"It was particularly hard during Covid where it was over nine months at one point and Brian had to isolate in hotels for two-week stretches."
"We got engaged in the summer of 2022 and Brian asked me next to the cascade fountain at The Alnwick Garden. He hid the ring in his cap.
"I had always wanted to be asked by a fountain as it sounded romantic, so Brian Googled to see what was the largest fountain in Northumberland."
After the engagement announcement, Brian had a low-key stag do in Ponteland on one of his trips over. His best man came up from Bristol for the suit fitting and the pair went out with a few other friends and family. Whereas Katherine went to Champagne in France for a tasting weekend/tour of vineyards, which she had wanted to do for several years.
Speaking about their big day, Katherine said, "My dress was a whimsical A-line, ivory over soft blush, by Maggie Sottero which was coincidently a business that originated from Sydney, Australia 25 years ago.
"Brian's best man was Martin Bywater from Bristol and his three ushers were my son Will Lovat,18 and his sons Lloyd, 22, and Owen,20, who live in Sydney.
"My maid of honour was my best friend Ailsa Latimer, my surprise bridesmaid and niece- Holly Coulthard (19).
"There were a few surprised faces and many tears when Holly came down the aisle after Ailsa Latimer as it wasn’t expected that Holly would be there.
"It was a complete surprise to her parents and grandparents who have not seen her for over nine months as she has been traveling around Australia. They were not expecting to see her till next March.
"When she was staying with Brian and I in Sydney last year we hatched a plan for her to be here and kept it a surprise. It has been a feat of organisation and subterfuge."
The couple had 80 daytime guests for the ceremony at 2.30 pm, a wedding breakfast of charcuterie platter, followed by slow roasted pork, then apple and blackberry crumble. Another 30 evening guests joined the pair at 7.30 pm when pizzas were served and made on-site in a traditional oven.
The favours from the wedding included a personalised tube of Love Heart sweets, a lottery scratch card, and a fun Wedding Advice Card that everyone was invited to fill in for the bride and groom.
The couple danced to 'Feels Like Home' by Chantal Kreviazuk, which reminded them of their relationship.
Guests, Katherine and Brian also enjoyed the stacked 3-tier vanilla sponge with raspberry jam and buttercream icing decorated with real avalanche roses, peach lisianthus, and eucalyptus made by a friend of bride and groom, Ash Dias.
For their last dance, the couple wanted a song that linked to their relationship.
Katherine said: "It is a lovely reminder for us as a couple as it's featured on Australian airline (Qantas) TV advertising campaign which shows families & couples reuniting and parting at airports which is what we’ve done for the past 8 years."
She also adds: "The whole day was amazing. It was a beautiful summer day and evening in a gorgeous rural setting.
"Everyone spent a lot of time outdoors in the courtyard and gardens with deer were spotted roaming in the meadow.
"We really enjoyed readings by our friend Phillipa Chadwick, from Lancaster, & sister of Bride, Julie Linkleter, from Kirkheaton."
Those who helped on the day.
Healey Flowers
Wedding Wardrobe
Natalie Marie Jewellery
Imogen Kate Photography
Healey Barn
Borderland
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