A SMITTEN couple who enjoyed a 'perfect' day has tied the knot in front of their loved ones.

Leanne West, 37, a Nail Technician and Darren West, 38, a Accountant both from Barrow, have said 'I do' in a ceremony at Abbey House Hotel.

The couple first met at senior school in 1995 but said they didn't talk much back then. Fast forward a few years and the couple both worked at ASDA where they would talk occasionally but not much.

In 2009, the couple both started talking on social media and went out a few times as friends but then it progressed into a relationship not long after.

The couple said they were 'always laughing and joking and it just felt very easy to be around each other'.

The pair got engaged when they went to Florida for their 10-year anniversary back in 2019. Leanne said: "Little did I know that Darren had been planning our engagement for a year before our holiday to get it as perfect as it was. Darren had planned a hot air balloon ride the second week of us being there.

"He told me we would be in a group ride but when we got to the meeting point the morning of the ride, i learned we would be in a private basket, just the two of us.

"The hot air balloon ride was a sunrise one so once the balloon was up and ready to go we got in and up we went. It was amazing and the views were fantastic. About half an hour in Darren got down on one knee and finally asked me to marry him. Of course, I said yes."

The couple tied the knot on Saturday, June 18 at Abbey House Hotel and Gardens in Barrow in front of 60 of their family and friends and an additional 40 guests at the evening reception.

Mrs West said the wedding was 'as perfect as it could have been'.

"I got ready in the morning with my four bridesmaids Claire, Liz, Danielle and Janine and my Mam Linda. The sun was shining but it wasn’t too hot so it was the perfect weather for the wedding.

"Seeing my dad for the first time once in my dress was very emotional but very special on both parts. At this point, I couldn’t wait to see Darren at the altar and marry the love of my life.

"The whole day was just fantastic and couldn’t have been more perfect. The staff at Abbey House were incredible and nothing was too much trouble for them."

The couple went to London for their honeymoon on Monday, June 27.

All photography featured in the article is by Ladybirds Photography.