Stormy start leads to Valentine’s Day proposal above the clouds

Fast forward 12 months and there was a marriage proposal high above Manchester at Cloud 23 on Deansgate.

The happy couple tied the knot 12 months ago – on FA Cup Final day where the groom’s team beat the team supported by his ushers – and featured white horses and a Chitty Chitty Bang Bang style car.

Here, Gillian, who is 46, and 49-year-old David, from Acton Bridge, tell us their wedding story, in their own words.

If you’ve tied the knot this year or are planning to get married in the next few months, and would like to appear in ‘Our Wedding Day’ feature, email heidi.summerfield@newsquest.co.uk.

When and how did you meet?

David: We met during Storm Christoph in January 2021.

What did you think of each other when you first met?

Gillian: I’m an Independent CWAC councillor and was helping residents in my ward who had been completely flooded out. I remember Dave staring at me and then sending me a message via Facebook to thank me for everything.

Where and when did you get engaged?

David: We got engaged on Valentine’s Day, 2022 at Cloud 23 in Manchester.

The couple met during Storm Christoph and got engaged on Valentine's Day the following year

How did one of you propose?

Gillian: Dave told me he had forgotten to ask me something and out popped the ring.

What was the date of the wedding and reception?

David: We got married on June 3, 2023, so will be celebrating our first wedding anniversary this weekend.

What was the location of the wedding and reception?

Gillian: We got married at St Mary’s Church in Weaverham. I’ve sung in the church choir at St Mary’s for 36 years so to me, that was the most important part.

It was lovely to make our vows in front of family, friends and church family. I’m leader of Weaverham Mothers Union group at St Mary’s so they had done the flowers alongside the florist Hannah and the church looked beautiful.

Sandiway Church choir joined with St Mary’s choir, so the choir was huge. It was amazing and the wedding was officiated by Rev Paul Withington from St Mary’s and Rev Ruth Mock from St John’s Sandiway also participated.

I have a close relationship with St John’s as I volunteer at the Ark Cafe in Sandiway each Friday. It’s an amazing community café.

We wanted to celebrate with the church family and so had a glass of fizz and a buffet at St Mary’s Church Hall. One of my close friends is resident in Gleave Wood so myself and David and our bridesmaids took the remaining buffet to Gleave Wood Care Home.

Our day and evening reception was at Willington Hall.

Sandiway Church choir joined with St Mary's choir to sing at the wedding service (Helen Davies)

How were you feeling on the morning of your wedding?

Gillian: It was a whirlwind as it had been my election campaign until one month prior to the wedding and there was so much left still to do, so I was quite exhausted but very excited.

Dave had bought me a beautiful diamond and topaz bracelet to wear for something blue and sent me a bouquet of flowers with a card saying 'see you at the altar'.

How would you describe your wedding?

Gillian: It was simply magical.

How many guests did you have?

David: We had 60 guests in the day plus 90 extra for the evening reception.

What did your guests eat?

David: We had prawn cocktail (my favourite), Host the roast (Gillian’s favourite) and cheesecake (also my favourite).

Did you have a first dance? If so, what was the song and why did you choose it?

Gillian: We had Stand by Me. Dave had chosen You Say by Lauren Daigle however it wasn’t easy to dance to in a big dress!

Did you have speeches? How did they go?

Gillian: The speeches were delayed as it was the hottest day of the year so everything got pushed back but they went really well.

The wedding took place at St Mary's Church in Weaverham (Helen Davies)

What are your favourite memories of the day?

Gillian: The marriage in the church, the horse and carriage, visiting Rosie and the singing waiter doing Nessun Dorma.

Tell us a little bit about your outfits on the day

Gillian: My bridesmaids were in pale pink. Anyone who knows me knows that’s my colour. The men had top hats and tails.

I knew the dress that what I wanted, however the shop insisted that I tried on other styles just to make sure. I was given strict instructions from Dave – 'no toilet roll holders'!

Did you go on honeymoon? Where did you go?

David: We went on a Caribbean cruise from New York on Valentine’s Day this year.

Please tell us a little bit about the things you have in common. Why do you love each other? Why did you want to get married?

Gillian: We are very different which is why it works!

David: Gillian is beautiful, inside and out.

Gillian: Likewise, Dave is too and has a very big heart. We are very much a team and face all life’s ups and downs together.

Gillian and David were joined by family and friends as well as Gillian's church family on the their special day (Helen Davies)

Is there anything else you would like to share with us about your day or your relationship?

Gillian: I was one hour late on the day! It was the hottest day of the year and it was also the FA Cup Final. Dave is a big Manchester City fan and his ushers were mainly Manchester United fans – awkward!

I arranged a surprise singing waiter. We had a harpist and the evening entertainment was the Ant Hill Mob. We had a Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car to get us from the church hall to Willington, which was great fun.

My bridesmaids were Lucie Riley, Laura Power, Michele Sanders and Jasmine Horth and our flower girl was Isabelle Bowers. Dave’s best man was Jamie Watson.

Photo credit:

Helen Hates Peas Photography