"What is it you want, Mary? What do you want? You want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down," George Bailey once said in It's a Wonderful Life and it came true for a North East couple who didn't need his help but a local photographer's instead.
Military couple Connor and Rebecca Hughes, who met in 2019 during their time serving in the British Army in Thorney Island, Hampshire, had the once-in-lifetime opportunity to have their weddings photographs featuring the displayed moon exhibition at Hexham Abbey on their big day on 21 October 2023.
Speaking about the day, Rebecca said: "We travel a lot with our careers in the military, but we’ve always loved Hexham.
"We’re so pleased with our decision to get married at Hexham House and booked it immediately after Connor proposed at Slipper Mill pond, Emsworth, Hampshire.
"My favourite part of the day was walking down the aisle in my Ottillia Dress with our daughter Eliza as Husband and Wife. Connor said his was kissing his bride.
"We had our nephews Jacob, 10, and Harry,12, as our page boys along with our niece Jessica ,4, and 18-month-old daughter Eliza as bridesmaids.
"After the wedding ceremony, our 'evening do' was at the County Hotel, Hexham, at 6pm for a three-course meal with prosecco.
"We had 30 Guests and it turned out just as we’d hoped. The staff at the hotel did a great job at making us all feel welcome – and the food was great! We were always aiming for a cosy family gathering feel for our wedding, the County Hotel gave us just that.
"We went for a traditional fruit wedding cake in which Rose Mortimer (Rebecca's Aunty), kindly made it and did an excellent job.
"Our photographer was Wil Cheung from Wil Photography. He made us feel very relax and comfortable. He even used his local connections to get an amazing picture of us under the moon inside Hexham Abbey.
"Unfortunately, Connor had to deploy away with work a couple of days after the wedding. So, we look forward to planning our honeymoon in the springtime when he is home.”
Who helped on the day
Photographer - Wil Cheung Photography
Groom suit – 3 Piece Ted Baker Suit & Shoes From MOSS Bros.
Bride dress – Ottillia Dress from Wed2b
Rings - Grooms – Newman Bands – Plain Band
Bride – H Samuels – Plain Band
Flowers - Gerrards Florist, Ellesmere Port
Favours – Chunkymonkeychocs.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here