Win a Wedding couple get their fairytale ending

The Derby Telegraph's Win a Wedding couple Leeanne Moore and Stuart Groombridge tied the knot yesterday.

LOOKING stunning in the princess dress she "always wanted", Leeanne Moore glided down the aisle before locking eyes with her prince.

The couple had spent nine "surreal" months preparing their dream day in the public gaze, but at the moment they both said "I do" there may as well have been just the two of them in the room.

"It was amazing, a truly fantastic day," Leeanne said.

"I married the man I love in the dress I always wanted in front of all our closest family and friends."

Photos: purple bridesmaid dresses

Leeanne, 34, and her now husband Stuart Groombridge tied the knot at the Priest House Hotel after winning the Derby Telegraph's Win a Wedding competition.

As part of their £15,000 prize, the stunning venue in Castle Donington provided the wedding breakfast for 60 guests and 10 free rooms.

Leeanne's beautiful ivory dress was supplied by Stately Brides, in Belper, while Stuart's suit was provided by Brigdens of Derby.

Their rings, which sparked on their fingers, were donated by Flash Jordan, also of Derby.

Leeanne's father Kevin Moore had the honour of walking her down the aisle to meet 33-year-old Stuart.

Stuart said: "She looked amazing, absolutely beautiful, the whole day was just as we had hoped and more."

Leeanne's son Brandon, 14, and Stuart's son Freddie, six, were page boys. Leeanne's sister Shauna, daughter Mia, six, and Stuart's daughters Leanne and Holly, 13 and 10, beamed as bridesmaids holding beautiful posies supplied by Duffield florists The Greenery.

Leeanne said: "All of the flowers looked amazing.

"We picked roses and gerberas and they were so beautiful, The Greenery provided is with exactly what we wanted."

Stuart's proposal to Leeanne came in September last year and not in the most normal of circumstances.

While most nervous prospective husbands might drop to one knee and produce a ring, Stuart, of Spondon, asked Leeanne, of Breadsall Hilltop, after he had completed his first white collar boxing bout at Pride Park.

He said: "I remember saying at the time that I'd just lost my first fight, and that another thing I didn't want to lose was my other half, Leeanne'.

"At the time it felt like I was standing there for about half an hour when I was waiting for her answer, but then she came into the ring and was in total shock – she looked really gobsmacked."

Then, in December, the couple beat off competition from four others to bag our Win a Wedding prize.

Stuart said: "It has been a surreal few months but had we not won the competition we might not have had the dream wedding that we got.

"The Telegraph has been fantastic throughout this and we cannot thank all of the suppliers enough for everything they have given us.

"Everyone has been so generous and patient and we would like to thank all of them for making this day so special for both of us."

Invitations and thank you stationery were provided by PS I Love You, of Derby.

Leeanne's make up was done by Sheelagh Powell while her hair was crafted by Harvey Luke, of Smalley Drive, Derby.

Leeanne and her dad were driven to the Priest House Hotel for the 1pm ceremony in a Rolls-Royce supplied by Wedding Cars of Derby.

During the ceremony Stuart's sister, Joanne Groombridge, delivered a reading.

For the wedding breakfast Leeanne and Stuart chose a starter of ham hock terrine, chicken for the main course and a panacotta with red berries for dessert.

Stuart said he felt confident going into his groom's speech following the meal.

He said: "I only wanted to really say a few thank you's so my speech wasn't that long really, plus I don't mind speaking in public anyhow.

"And as everyone knows people really want to hear the best man's speech.

"My best man was Ian Henderson who has been my best mate since we were kids. It topped 17 minutes and I don't think I came out of it too badly."

The couple had chosen to provide their guests – 70 during the day and an additional 30 in the evening – with a sweet buffet, provided by Sweet Candy Buffets, of Derby.

Leeanne designed their wedding cake, which was provided by Cake Decor, of Theatre Walk, Derby. She said: "It was round, three-tiered and was made up of lemon cake, carrot cake and chocolate orange so there was something for everyone."

Fabrication company supervisor Stuart said the pair knew each other as children but their relationship had properly started again three years ago.

He said: "We hung around when we were kids and had a kiss when we were about 12.

"But life took us our separate ways and we had children with other partners.

"Then a few years ago we were both single and Leeanne had said on Facebook 'where are all the decent men in Derby?' and being the cheeky chap I am I said 'I'm right here!'"

Leeanne and Stuart's pre-wedding hen and stag parties were hosted by specialist Off Limits, of Langley Mill, and Leeanne was also treated to a pre-wedding spa day, courtesy of the Owl House Day Spa, in Diseworth.

Guests after yesterday's reception were able to dance the night away to tunes spun by Spreadeagle Disco, of Tatenhill, near Burton.

And the pair were snapped by professional photographer Victoria Dolman, who is based in Chapel Green, Doveridge, near Ashbourne.

Finally, the couple had their special day captured on video by Chrissa Wadlow, of Light Films.

The couple are now due to jet off on honeymoon to a place they both dreamed about visiting.

Leeanne said: "We've decided to go to the Maldives which just looks like paradise and is somewhere we have both wanted to go to for ages.

"It will be just the two of us there and we're only going for a week, but I am sure it will be absolutely amazing.

"If someone would have said to me this time last year that I would have been proposed to by Stuart from a boxing ring, then won a £15,000 wedding of my dreams I would have thought they were mad.

"But the dream is now a reality and I can't wait to get on with life married to Stuart."

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