A BRIDE felt like a princess when she made a grand arrival at her wedding venue in a two-horse-drawn carriage with blue plumes.
Hexham couple Kate Thorburn, 38, and Jonathan Dagg, 41, were surrounded by close friends and family to help celebrate their special day at Hexham House on July 29, 2023.
The pair met at Torch centre club for adults with learning disabilities in summer 2019 and were engaged in November when Jonathan proposed in Mr Ants.
During lockdown Kate and Jonathan were isolated from family due to lockdown rules. Jonathan had to stay with Kate for 12 weeks, as he could not go home due to elderly relatives. When restrictions lifted, staff supported them to move into their own flat and to begin planning the wedding.
Kate, a volunteer at Oxfam for 16 years and Hexham community grocers for two years, had a hen do with Mencap support staff at the County Hotel, where everybody wore pink for the night.
Jonathan, a steward for Newcastle united, stuck to his Geordie roots and had a stag do with his uncles in Newcastle's Bigg Market.
On the day of the wedding, Kate wore a beautiful white taffeta dress with underskirt and bustle when she walked down the aisle. She was accompanied by her bridesmaids; Kara Clarke, Stephanie Richardson, and five-year-old Anna Richardson. Waiting at the altar with Jonathan was best man Angus Herdman.
The couple's reception was at The County Hotel where they had invited 60 friends and family and enjoyed a daytime cake of two tiers which were carrot and lemon.
On the night, the party moved to Hexham Mart where they welcomed 150 guests and enjoyed a buffet and an evening sponge cake. 
The pair hit the dance floor for their first dance as spouses to Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) by ABBA.
Speaking about the day, Kate said: "The whole day was amazing and was special as we saw family that we hadn't seen since lockdown."
After the wedding, the pair had a honeymoon in Seahouses, Northumberland, with their dog Jett.
Who helped on the day?
Bouquets: Blue roses and gypsophila from Honey Bee Hexham
North East carriage company Stanley.
Band: Jason Arnup Band, Bellingham
Photographer: Rob Searle
Cakes: Lucy Irving from Saffron catering
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