A LOVESTRUCK couple who had their 'dream wedding' despite coronavirus restrictions have officially tied the knot.

Amy Madden, 29, who works at EE, and Louise McGunigle, 34, a manager for Greggs, first crossed paths 12 years ago.

However, the pair did not get together until eight years later after they became firm friends.

Mrs Madden said: "Louise had a boyfriend when I first met her and she was quite settled.

"Then eight years later I met her again and she wasn't with her husband anymore. We started talking and laughing and going out for drinks.

"Then in December 2017 I told her how I felt and she said she felt the same - I was gobsmacked.

"We're like two peas in the pod, we're both so chilled and don't argue. We just laugh and wind each other up."

Mrs Madden had planned to propose to her then wife-to-be during a trip to Walt Disney World in Florida, however, due to the Covid-19 travel restrictions, she was forced to make other arrangements.

She said: "I was going to do outside the castle in Florida but then we went into lockdown. So instead I put the castle on the TV and spelt 'will you marry me' in candles.

"She's a massive Disney fan so I knew it would mean a lot to her.

"She sobbed her heart out and I had to say you need to give me an answer.

"I was just over the moon when she said yes."

The couple had originally planned a small wedding with 50 people at The Inn on the Lake in Glenridding, but had to cut the guestlist down to 30 people due to Government guidelines.

Mrs Madden said: "We wanted to get married as soon as possible so we could be wife and wife and start our own family.

"Louise first took me to the Lakes three months into our relationship and I fell in love with it. It's one of the most beautiful places I'd ever visited

"It just seemed the perfect place to get married - the Lakes chose us."

The pair tied the knot on September 27 in front of their nearest and dearest.

"Louise walked down the aisle to Wonderful Tonight played on the panpipes and I started sobbing," Mrs Madden said.

"Everyone was crying, she looked amazing.

"We totally forgot there was a global pandemic, because it was outside we didn't have to wear mask.

"Our biggest highlight was when we got announced into the room for our sit down meal, and our dog Jarvis was allowed in the room - he’s everything to us

"It was our dream wedding."

The couple would like to thank a number of people for making their day so special. These include the bridesmaids: Danielle, Julie, Sarah and Terrain, the best man Liam, ushers, Chad, Ste, the photographer, Chris Freer, the videographer – Safe Harbour Productions and Memory Knot Company who provided the fairy lights.