A COUPLE got married in a gorgeous riverside ceremony six years after they went on a blind date.

Bethany Ryland, 29, and Luke Whittaker, 28, got married at the beautiful riverside location of Hidden River Cabins in Carlisle.

The happy couple met after their mums, who were best friends at school, reconnected and tried to match make the pair.

“It was kind of a match making thing with the mums,” said Mrs Whittaker, who lives in Coventry.

“She kept saying oh I have a son your age and tried to introduce me to him.

“And then we ended up going on a blind date.”

The ICU nurse and the chartered surveyor have now being together for six years.

Mrs Whittaker described her husband as ‘genuine’ and ‘funny’.

“He’s really kind and generous,” she said.

“All round he’s just a nice person, there’s not many of those around these days.”

Mr Whittaker surprised his wife by popping the question on their fifth anniversary on a trip away.

“It was a surprise, it was on our fifth anniversary at a cottage in the Peak District,” said Mrs Whittaker.

“We had a meal at home and then he asked me to marry him.”

The couple had intended to wed next year, but decided to bring their big day forward after Mrs Whittaker’s father was diagnosed with a terminal illness.

“We brought the wedding forward to make sure he could be there,” explained Mrs Whittaker.

“We always wanted the people who we had there, it wouldn’t have been any different to if we had married next year.

“We always wanted a small wedding.”

The couple had dreamed of having their ceremony outside, but with a 90 per cent chance of rain on the day they were given the choice of an outside cabin or in the venue’s barn.

They took a chance and went for their dream cabin location and were rewarded with a perfectly rain free sky.

“It was just amazing from beginning to end,” said Mrs Whittaker.

“We had our first dance by the river it was stunning.”

Mrs Whittaker was especially pleased with Ladybirds Photography who made their day so special.

“He worked his socks off,” said Mrs Whittaker.

“And the pictures he took were incredible.”

Summing up the day Mrs Whittaker said: “It was everything we ever wanted and more.

“It was perfect, everything we did myself and Luke absolutely loved.”