NEWLYWEDS Emma and Charles Birch met when they were at primary school and after attending different secondary schools they found each other again nearly 20 years later with the bride-to-be proposing on February 29, 2020.
The happy couple, who live in Middlewich, tied the knot at St Michael and All Angles Church in Middlewich before celebrating with family and friends at Cranage Hall.
Emma, who works as a community carer for Spiritual Inspiration, still delivers the Winsford and Middlewich Guardian every Thursday, and she has made sure residents receive their weekly copies on time since she was a teenager.
Here, Emma and Charles, who are both 32, tell us their wedding story, in their own words.
When and how did you meet?
Emma: We met at The Hermitage Primary School in Holmes Chapel in September 1999 but then went to different high schools. We met again delivering the Christmas post for the Royal Mail at Crewe.
What did you think of each other when you first met?
Charles: We were only children but we got on well.
Where and when did you get engaged?
Charles: We got engaged in Middlewich at the end of February 2020.
How did one of you propose?
Emma: I proposed to Charles as it was a leap year in 2020.
What was the date of the wedding and reception?
Emma: Saturday July 23
What was the location of the wedding and reception?
Charles: We got married at St Michael and All Angels Church, Middlewich, and then had the reception at Cranage Hall.
The happy couple arriving in style at Cranage Hall
How were you feeling on the morning of your wedding?
Emma: We were both feeling excitedly nervous.
How would you describe your wedding?
Emma: In a word – wonderful!
How many guests did you have?
Charles: We had 68 guests.
Emma and Charles enjoyed a horse drawn carriage ride on their wedding day
What did your guests eat?
Emma: There were canapés followed by fishcakes or vegetable tart, chicken or lamb and then cheesecake or lemon tart.
Did you have a first dance?
Emma: Charles chose the song for our first dance - All I Ask Of You from The Phantom of the Opera as it is my favourite musical, and we taught each other the dance.
Did you have speeches? How did they go?
Emma: Yes, we had speeches and they went very well.
What are your favourite memories of the day?
Emma: All of it, especially the horse and carriage.
Emma and Charles and their beautiful wedding cake
Tell us a little bit about your outfits on the day
Emma: I tried on about seven dresses before finding ‘the one’ and the bridesmaids wore lilac.
Did you go on honeymoon?
Charles: We had our honeymoon in Corfu.
Why did you want to get married?
Emma: We enjoy holidays in Corfu, steam galas and food – they’re our common interests.
Is there anything else you would like to share with us about your day?
Lostock Ukes entertained guests while they waited for us to arrive at Cranage Hall.
Photography by DS Greenwood Photography
If you would like to appear in our Wedding Day feature, email heidi.summerfield@newsquest.co.uk
The new Mr and Mrs Birch
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