A memorable day full of emotion for the new Mr and Mrs Corry

The couple planned the wedding in just 12 months and had 24 close family and friends witness them saying I do.

Everyone wore purple – apart from the bride – and celebrated with a garden party to remember.

Here Sam, who is 39, and 44-year-old Anthony, who are from Warrington but now live in Newton-le-willows, tells us their wedding story.

When and how did you meet?

Sam: Anthony’s mum lived two doors down from me so we met by accident really!

What did you think of each other when you first met?

Sam: We instantly became friends and could chat for hours and hours.

Where and when did you get engaged?

Sam: We got engaged on holiday in Tenerife, on Friday, July 20 last year. It was quiet but romantic and a good friend, Robert Burt, that we made on holiday witnessed the proposal and took a photo.

When did you get married?

Anthony: We got married on Saturday, June 11.

What was location of the wedding and reception?

Anthony: It was at 1 Times Square in Warrington and then back to my dad’s house for a lovely garden party.

A family occasion

How were you feeling on the morning of your wedding?

Sam: I felt nervous and excited and it was a very emotional day.

How would you describe your wedding?

Sam: It was small but incredible and memorable.

How many guests did you have?

Anthony: We had just 24 guests.

The wedding party

What did your guests eat?

Anthony: We had a cold buffet in the afternoon and curry, stew, hot dogs and chips in the evening.

Did you have a first dance?

Anthony: We dance to Glory of Love by Peter Cetera. We chose this song because it is a very special song to us and the lyrics mean so much.

Did you have speeches?

Sam: Yes, they were brilliant! The best man, Mikey, our 15-year-old son, who has special needs, did his own little speech. Anthony did a speech of thanks and Anthony’s dad did a speech, welcoming me into the family. Craig, my brother did a toast to my dad and Anthony’s mum who have both passed away.

What are your favourite memories of the day?

Sam: The entire day was so amazing from start to finish. It was so precious to have such a wonderful family making memories with us.

Tell us a little bit about your outfits on the day

Sam: The women wore purple and the men wore grey suits with lilac ties. Everybody got involved with the colour scheme, which was lovely. One of the people at the registry office said she’d never seen an entire wedding party included in the colour scheme so that was a first, but such an amazing thing to do.

All the ladies

All the gentlemen

Are you going on honeymoon?

Anthony: No but we are hoping to go on holiday sometime next year.

Why did you want to get married?

Sam: We just click. We can chat for hours and hours - we always have! We both just seem to know each other inside and out.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us about your day or your relationship?

Sam: After the devastating time our family has had in the past few years - the passing of Anthony’s mum, my dad and then our beautiful baby boy being born sleeping - we decided that our family needed something good to look forward to. So, we chose a wedding date and looked at keeping the cost down as much as possible so that we could do it within the year. We got married with just immediate family there and unfortunately there were a few people who couldn’t attend, but we made the most of the day in the best way we could. My mum made hundreds of flowers and Anthony’s parents created an amazing garden to party in. Anthony’s sisters did hair and makeup and the whole family sorted the food and drink. It really was the most amazing wedding and we are thrilled that we have such a wonderful family to enjoy our day with us.

Photos by Craig Byrne

If you want to appear in our Wedding Day feature, email heidi.summerfield@newsquest.co.uk