A NORTHUMBERLAND couple enjoyed a 'mini-moon' in Rome after tying the knot in front of friends and family at Healey Barn.

Teacher Louise and maintenance technician Lewis Tanney, both 30, grew up with each other but took nearly ten years to go out on a date with each other.

Louise said: "Lewis and I both grew up at the same first, middle and high school together, only it wasn't until we were 24 that we went on our first date.

"In fact, both our mams remember each other from playgroup.

"Our best man joked at our wedding that I actually first set eyes on Lewis when I handed over the Sports Personality of the Year trophy to Lewis in our school leavers' assembly, having won it the year before him. It only took him nearly nine years to ask me on our first date!

"Then we got engaged on November 18 2022, so we made sure to celebrate the next stage of the relationship.

​"My bridesmaid Natalie organised a last rodeo-themed home hen party in Newcastle where we had a go on the beer bikes around the city! Let's just say on a match day in the Toon, we held up a lot of traffic!

"Lewis' stag do was in September in Dusseldorf where he enjoyed drinking steins with the lads and ate bratwurst - they all had a great time

"We got married at Healey Barn, Riding Mill, on Wednesday, November 1 2023.

"We had the exclusivity of Healey Hall and cottages, where we had a pre-wedding party with the family the evening before.

Hexham Courant: Louise with her parentsLouise with her parents (Image: Joss Denham Photography)

 

"Our theme was rustic autumnal, and the colours, dried flowers, fire pits and blankets suited our favourite season perfectly.

"We had Lewis' brother Matthew Tanney as best man, my friend Natalie and sister-in-law Sam with our two flower girls, my niece Alice, five and Esther, four, our beautiful daughter.

Hexham Courant: Lewis, Louise and EstherLewis, Louise and Esther (Image: Joss Denham Photography)

"After our 2pm ceremony with 87 guests, we had drinks and a canape reception with Paul Slattery, caricaturist.

"Then our wedding feast in the barn was at 4.30pm where we enjoyed our wood fire pizzas.

"We then cut our three-tier, semi-naked cake with dried fruit and flowers by Healey Flowers followed by our first dance to Supertramp – Give a little bit."

Hexham Courant: Louise and Lewis meeting at the altarLouise and Lewis meeting at the altar (Image: Joss Denham Photography)

 

Who helped on the day?

Jess Hynes band as our evening entertainment

Joss Denham Photography 

Hexham Courant: Wedding cakeWedding cake (Image: Joss Denham Photography)