Last updated 11:18, Thursday, 07 August 2008

HELEN Arkell, 32, a solicitor, and David Hayward, 30, a civil servant originally from Wetheral, live in London.

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Helen Arkell and David Hayward

HOW THEY MET: They met through friends in London and started chatting about the north-west of England as David is from Wetheral and Helen’s parents had recently moved to Raughton Head.

PROPOSAL: David asked for Helen’s dad’s permission to marry her on his 60th birthday. He proposed to Helen the next day with all their family around them.

VENUE: Raughton Head Church on December 22, 2007.

THEME: Christmas in the country.

BRIDE’S OUTFIT: An ivory Thai silk dress with matching lace and Thai silk jacket and veil made by Pronovias from Harrods.

GROOMSMEN: The groom’s brother John Hayward was best man. The groom’s brother Nick Hayward, the bride’s brother Roland Arkell, the groom’s cousin Johnny Hayward and Andrew McGrillis were ushers. They wore their own suits. The groom wore a grey Burberry suit and silver tie.

BRIDESMAIDS: Elizabeth Drenon, the bride’s sister-in-law Elizabeth Arkell and Kate Blackledge were bridesmaids. They wore Vera Wang olive and dark green dresses and they chose their own style.

FLOWERS: Bouquets of grand prix red roses, sea holly and greenery made by Pip Lowe.

TRANSPORT: Ivory, vintage-style Rolls Royce’s from Cars of Distinction, Langwathby.

RECEPTION: A wedding breakfast of mulled wine and canapes at the bride’s parents’ house near Raughton Head for 160 guests and a further 50 in the evening for a hog roast. Guests were entertained by Northumbrian piper Matt Seatle.

TABLE SETTINGS: Old Victorian flower pots with sea holly, greenery and grand prix red roses surrounded by ivy and terracotta pots with church candles. The tables were named after lakes in the Lake District, and the table number stands were made of sash window weights. The marquee and house were decorated with Christmas trees and hurricane lamps.

FAVOURS: Little wooden Christmas trees wrapped in tissue paper.

CATERING: A wedding breakfast of Solway shrimps, game pie and a dessert table made by Margaret Brough and Joan Gate, of Food & Company.

CAKE: A three-tier fruit cake made by the bride’s and groom’s mothers, decorated with ivory icing and roses by a family friend.

FIRST DANCE: You’re All I Need by Martin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.

ENTERTAINMENT: Funk Conspiracy from the north-east, followed by an itunes mix of the couple’s favourite songs which David had carefully compiled.

HONEYMOON: Sri Lanka.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Elly Clark, of London.