Your North East Wedding - Jan/Feb 2020 (Issue 36)

ON THE PRIZE A leap year proposal led to Lisa and Lee’s Blackwell Grange wedding day Images courtesy of Carro Studio Lisa Hilton, 38, married Lee Richardson, 38, at St Andrew’s Church, followed by a reception at Blackwell Grange Hotel, on 13 th April 2019. M eeting at work back in 2007, Darlington- based Lisa and Lee were soon arranging their first date to Yarm Fair. “We had a couple of drinks first where the conversation flowed,” remembers Lisa. “We then decided to go on some rides before having our palms read. The lady who did it was spookily near the mark – she said we’d get married and have a dog, both of which are now true!” The couple had been together for five years when Lisa popped the question. “It was a leap year, and I’d won a competition to go to London and propose on the London Eye,” continues the bride. “As Lee had no idea he was told we’d be filmed as part of a tourism campaign. When we got to the top I held up large cards that read, ‘Will you marry me?’ and, ‘Please don’t say no!’! The people in the capsules above and below were all cheering, and afterwards we celebrated with a meal and overnight stay.” It took the couple around eight months to plan their wedding, with Lisa doing most of the organising. Here, she tells us more about their special day… Eye REAL WEDDINGS 33 