BESOTTED newlyweds who rearranged their wedding three times due to the Covid pandemic have finally said 'I do'.

Rachel Balmer, 36, a payroll manager from Endmoor, Kendal and Rory Turner, 35, a facility manager from Nether Kellet first met on the dating site Match.com before arranging their first date.

The couple, who both now live in Carnforth, said they 'got on like a house on fire' and took their relationship to the next step on Christmas Day in 2017.

Mrs Turner said: "Rory handed me a small box to open but I didn't think for a moment it had a ring inside.

"While I was trying to undo the Sellotape I hadn't noticed him get down on one knee and as I opened the box and saw the ring he asked me if I would marry him.

"I was seven months pregnant at the time and we really wanted our daughter to be part of the day so we said we would wait a couple of years until she was around two years old.

"Because of Covid this ended up her being three and a half by the time we married. This was a blessing in disguise as she really understood what the day was about."

Due to the Covid pandemic, the pair had to rearrange their wedding three times before eventually tying the knot fourth time lucky at The Swan Hotel and Spa in Newby Bridge on August 20 alongside 29 guests in the day and a further 70 guests for the evening.

The couple described the ceremony as 'beautiful' - and said guests told them that they had 'never' attended a wedding like theirs before.

Mrs Turner said: "I stayed over at The Swan with my mum and dad the night before the wedding while Rory stayed at home with our daughter, Isabelle.

"On the morning of the wedding Rory's brother Toby drove him and Isabelle up to the venue.

"The ceremony was beautiful and despite Rory telling me he would not be in tears, as soon as the doors opened and me and Isabelle walked down the aisle, I could see him burst into tears.

"Toby gave the rings to our daughter Isabelle who delivered them to the registrar. For the wedding breakfast we wanted a party.

"For the children we arranged softplay and lots of activities for them to do while the adults were treated to a party atmosphere by the amazing Phil Colbert.

"He had the guests dancing round the tables, and even a conga between courses.

"Lots of guests told us it was amazing and they have never been to a wedding like that before.

"Before we knew it the wedding breakfast was over and the night guests were arriving. We danced the night away with friends and family until the early hours."

The couple has planned a mini-moon at the start of September for a few days in Edinburgh.

Photos by Clare Gelderd Photography.