From proposal disaster to wedding day perfection for ex Wolves star

The ring ended up in the water at Cleveley Mere and the newly engaged couple had to order another one.

Fast forward five years, and the former Saints and Warrington player and his bride tied the knot two weeks ago on Saturday, July 27.

Here, Jason and Francesca, who are 53 and 33 and live in Haydock, 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

The couple got engaged at Cleveley Mere, where they returned for honeymoon (Image: Emma Louise North West Wedding Photography)

When and how did you meet?

Jason: We met in Haydock at a local rugby game. We just started chatting during the game.

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

Jason: I thought Francesca was funny, naturally beautiful and easy to talk to.

Francesca: I thought he was alright but wasn't going to tell him!

Where and when did you get engaged?

Jason: We got engaged at The Tree House at Cleveley Mere in September 2016.

How did one of you propose?

Jason: I rowed to the middle of the lake as the sun set with music playing on my phone. The song was Bruno Mars’ Marry You. The ring was too big so it went in my top pocket and when I went to help Francesca out of the boat it fell into the lake.

What was the date of the wedding and reception?

Francesca: We got married on Saturday, July 27.

What was the location of the wedding and reception?

Francesca: The Mercure Hotel Haydock

The Mercure Hotel Haydock hosted Jason and Francesca's perfect day

How were you feeling on the morning of your wedding?

Jason: I was fine. Francesca and our daughter Alice stayed at the venue the night before. I went and met some of my old rugby friends from my time at St Helens as Shane Cooper was over from New Zealand.

How would you describe your wedding?

Jason: Amazing. The decorating by Sapphires Venues and Balloons decorations was out of this world, both at the ceremony and the marquee. It was all it could have been – there was fun and laughter and dancing going into the early hours. Francesca looked stunning and our daughter was a flower girl and my son George was the ring bearer. The silver service singing waiters set the party perfectly after the food. It was perfect in every way.

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How many guests did you have?

Francesca: We had 107 guests in total.

The Roach family

What did your guests eat?

Jason: We changed the menu as we didn’t fancy all the posh food. We had hot pot with crusty bread and butter, red cabbage and beetroot, and a chicken curry, rice, chips and naan bread. Believe it or not, it’s more expensive than the posh food.

Did you have a first dance?

Jason: We had a great first dance - more flips and lifts than hugs and turns. We had picked Power of Love by Frankie Goes to Hollywood but the singing waiters asked us to get up so we did it then off the cuff to Frank Sinatra’s Love You Baby, which went even better.

Did you have speeches? How did they go?

Jason: We only had two speeches – mine and the best man's. It was more like a roast than complimentary words. I did manage to say some nice things here and there. Chris Smith, my best man, set up a projector to paint me in the best possible light!

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What are your favourite memories of the day?

Jason: Our daughter walking in as the flower girl. During the wedding planning, she kept saying it’s my daddy to Francesca and that she wanted to marry me instead. During the ceremony, I brought Alice to the front, got down on one knee and told her how much I love her. I gave her a ring with the letter A and a heart on it – there wasn’t a dry eye during that bit.

The bride and groom met at a local rugby match

Tell us a little bit about your outfits on the day

Jason: Francesca tried a couple of dresses on but she’s not one for dresses. She is only small so found it difficult to get one. She tried three shops and found the perfect one. I didn’t get to see it until the day – it was white – and the bridesmaids’ dresses were navy blue like the rest of the colour scheme. Me and my best man had grey jackets and waistcoats with navy blue trousers.

Did you go on honeymoon? Where did you go?

Jason: We went the day after the wedding back to The Tree House at Cleverly Mere where we got engaged. It’s an amazing place and perfect as there’s so much for Alice to do - she came with us.

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?

Jason: We love training in the gym, trips away and comedy festivals so we get on really well. The only thing that’s different is I love sport and Fran is not really bothered. We have been together for ten years and have our little girl Alice, who was born on New Year’s Day 2021. We wanted to cement our love for each other and become a proper family.