Latchford couple say I do at Spirit before seeing the Northern Lights

Spirit Restaurant hosted the happy couple and their closest friends and family at the beginning of May as they danced the night away before enjoying a honeymoon in the Lake District witnessing a stunning display of the Northern Lights.

Here, Emma and Rhys, who are both 30 and live in Latchford, tell us their wedding story, in their own words.

If you’ve tied the knot this year or are planning to get married in the next few months, and would like to appear in ‘Our Wedding Day’ feature, email heidi.summerfield@newsquest.co.uk

When and how did you meet?

Emma: I used to work with Rhys’ mum in McDonald’s when I was 18 and he used to come in and see her on her dinner break. Eventually, I think he was really coming to see me! We became friends on Facebook and chatted for months then hung out together most nights.

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

Emma: I used to think Rhys was really fit - he looked like a bit of a scally but it was the redness in his hair I loved. I’d be excited to go to work just to see if I could see him and make sure I served him!

Rhys: Emma stood out to me from the moment I saw her. She always has a beautiful smile on her face and gave me butterflies when we made eye contact.

The happy couple and their two boys

Where and when did you get engaged?

Emma: Rhys proposed to me on Christmas Day, 2022 at home.

How did one of you propose?

Rhys: I proposed in our living room surrounded by our kids, presents and wrapping paper! I got down on one knee with a ring I’d chosen myself.

What was the date of the wedding and reception?

Rhys: We got married on Saturday, May 5.

What was the location of the wedding and reception?

Rhys: We got married at Spirit Restaurant at Park Manor. This is where we had the wedding and reception.

Spirit Restaurant hosted the wedding

How were you feeling on the morning of your wedding?

Emma: Really excited yet calm at the same time.

Rhys: The same! Excited yet calm.

How would you describe your wedding?

Emma: It was perfect, such a lovely day - lovely weather but everything went super-fast. Everything went to plan and it was amazing.

How many guests did you have?

Rhys: We had 46 guests for the day and around an extra 20 evening guests.

What did your guests eat?

Rhys: We had potato and leek soup for starter, chicken dinner for main and a chocolate mousse dessert. We had pizza at 9pm followed by our wedding cake, which was carrot cake.

Did you have a first dance? If so, what was the song and why did you choose it?

Emma: Yes, we had Phil Wickham’s It’s always been you. The words are just lovely and when we were younger, we did have some on/off periods but we always came back together when we realised no one else compared. We were like magnets. Rhys really wanted to dance to Lionel Ritchie My Love so we had that as well, straight after It’s always been you, and invited everyone else to join us.

Emma and Rhys got married on Saturday, May 5

Did you have speeches? How did they go?

Emma: Yes, we had step dad followed by best man, the groom and then I gave a speech.

They all went absolutely fine. I did worry but they weren’t embarrassing after all! Rhys was nervous but did really well and I choked up during mine - it was harder than I anticipated.

What are your favourite memories of the day?

Emma: Walking down the aisle with tunnel vision and then the food, which was amazing. The music was fabulous - we had a DJ (DJRJ) and a Warrington band called That Old Chestnut and they were great - everyone loved them!

Tell us a little bit about your outfits on the day

Emma: I tried on a number of dresses - approximately 20 - before I found the one. It was a ballgown style with flower detail at the top, with a long veil with same flower detail to match. Rhys’ best men wore black and white tux style suits and Rhys was the same but had a different jacket to stand out. My maid of honour wore a black dress and our kids wore black and white with dickie bows and braces. Our flowers were made by me and my mum. I bought everything online and wanted lots of white and neutral pampas and feather like flowers with some black and a little dusty blue in there too. Everybody commented on our bouquets.

Did you go on honeymoon? Where did you go?

Rhys: Yes, we stayed at The Village Hotel on the night of the wedding then we went to a lovely spa hotel on Lake Windermere. It was bliss without the kids and we really chilled together, took it all in and just enjoyed each other’s company. We had really nice weather and on our last night we had an incredible view of the Northern Lights.

After saying I do, Emma and Rhys headed off to the Lake District on honeymoon

Please tell us a little bit about the things you have in common. Why do you love each other? Why did you want to get married?

Emma: We are both very family orientated. We love caravan holidays, Chinese food, we have a similar taste in music and we both love to watch crime or paranormal tv shows with snacks and a brew. Rhys works hard and has made me really happy. He’s always there for me and our two boys. I wanted to complete our family by taking the last name of the most important people in my life.

Rhys: Emma is the love of my life - so selfless, thoughtful and an amazing mum to our kids. She is strong minded and the glue to our family.

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

Emma: The team at Park Manor are so lovely and accommodating - we would like to mention Prague who supported us from the moment we booked our big day. Park Manor has such a lovely feeling to it and their food is divine. It holds a special place in our hearts.

Photo credit: Louise Kitson (Rose Tinted Glasses Photography)

46 guests joined Emma and Rhys on their wedding day with another 20 in the evening