CHURCH bells rang out to celebrate the wedding of Christina and Matthew who exchanged vows after ten years together.

Christina Frances Joy, 29, a registered nurse, married Matthew Garth, 31, a telecommunications engineer, at a ‘magical’ church ceremony in Ulverston.

The couple, who are both from Ulverston, went to the same school but didn’t get to know each properly until leaving school.

Mrs Garth said: “He was very gentlemanly and made me feel special, which is hard to find these days.”

After buying their first house together, Mr Garth whisked his future wife away to Wastwater and dropped to one knee to propose with his late grandmother’s ring.

Mrs Garth said: “I was half expecting it as I had been waiting a long time! But he was very sensible in waiting until we had lived together long enough.”

The smitten pair was due to wed on May 20 last year but delayed their big day to the following year (May 26) due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This was the anniversary of my grandma’s death,” said Mrs Garth.

“I was unsure about this at first but I think it made the day more special.”

The lovestruck couple said ‘I do’ at the parish church in Ulverston followed by a reception at the Swan Hotel & Spa in Newby Bridge.

Mrs Garth said: “It was important to me that I got married at this church as I had grown up just up the road at my mum’s house.

“Before I moved out I used to walk to work at the hospice through the church yard. I was christened there and family members’ funerals have been there.

“For me my favourite moment was arriving at the church with the bells playing and walking down the aisle to the organ, with my dad by my side. I thought I would be nervous as I don’t like to be the centre of attention but even with everyone else there, I was just focused on Matthew and nothing else mattered. It was such a magical moment.

“We had our dogs join us after the ceremony as we wanted them to be included in the day as they are part of the family as well.”

The couple’s seven-month-old baby boy donned a suit which matched the groomsmen’s dapper outfits.

“It all worked out for the best because we were happy he could be a part of it,” Mrs Garth said.

“Everyone enjoyed the speeches as there were some heartfelt genuine words spoken. The day made us more aware of how lucky we are to have such amazing people around us.

“We went to Gummers How for photos. The weather wasn’t good the morning of the wedding and we didn’t think we’d be able to do this but it brightened up and we could get some good photos, even though it was cold!

“Clare the photographer was amazing and was really good with our baby.”

For the newlyweds’ ‘family-moon’ they enjoyed a stay at a cottage in Dumfries and plan on booking a trip abroad in the near future. All photography featured in the article is by Clare Gelderd.