By Emma Morley

Last updated at 10:29, Thursday, 07 August 2008

Last week, Laura Brooks and Paul Henderson, Cumbrian Weddings’ first Live the Dream competition winners, tied the knot.

Winners: Laura and Paul outside the church in Isel before the big day

Laura, 29, and Paul, 26, from Dearham, impressed judges with their tale of long-distance romance in which true love blossomed against the odds.

The couple met in July 2006 in Cockermouth, but within a month of their first date at the Kirkstile Inn Laura had to return to her teaching job at an international school in Shanghai.

A long-distance relationship followed and it was when Paul visited Laura during the Chinese New Year celebrations in February last year that he proposed.

Their Live the Dream prize, worth more than £5,000, includes a wedding gown and a dream honeymoon all voted for by Cumbrian Weddings readers, as well as discounts and free gifts from leading wedding suppliers.

They were presented with their prize at the Live the Dream wedding event last September.

The venue for the wedding was St Michael’s Church, Isel, near to where Laura’s mum Helen lives in Blindcrake.

The reception was held nearby, at The Castle Inn, overlooking Bassenthwaite Lake.

Laura, who has worked as a teacher in Kuwait and Shanghai and now back in Cumbria, said: “We knew we wanted to get married in the Lakes and not have to travel too far between the church and the reception venue. It has beautiful views.”

Laura, who grew up in Keswick, chose a dress from three local dress shops and then it was down to the public to choose their favourite.

The winning outfit is from Dresses and Dreams in Workington and Laura was thrilled with the decision.

Their original honeymoon prize, to South Africa, had to be cancelled due to travel firm Travelscope’s collapse, but this prize has been rearranged for a two-week honeymoon in Mexico.

Laura’s engagement ring was made by Paul’s sister-in-law Michelle Henderson and she has also made their wedding rings.

Laura enjoyed a weekend away in the north-east for her hen celebration – a night at Slaley Hall, Hexham, including spa treatments and then a night out in Newcastle.

Paul, an agricultural consultant originally from Newcastle, went to Edinburgh for his action-packed stag weekend involving white water rafting, paint-balling and a night out.

First published at 21:33, Wednesday, 06 August 2008
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk