'The storm didn't ruin our wedding, it made it'

A couple whose wedding day coincided with Storm Boelo said last-minute changes caused by the weather did not ruin their day, "it made it".

Leigh and Paul Hutchinson had planned to surprise their wedding guests with a glass of fizz at the top of Blackpool Tower, but high winds forced the venue to close the area.

Instead, staff arranged a private bar on the upper balcony of the Tower Ballroom and later cleared the dance floor so the newlyweds could share their first dance there.

"They did something really special for us," Leigh said. "It made the day so much more than we could have ever imagined."

The couple met 10 years ago and decided they wanted a low-key wedding at the chapel next door to The Beach House where they met.

Leigh said: "It was just going to be us. A quick wedding and a meal with family afterwards. So it spiralled to say the least."

After the ceremony, the bride, groom and wedding guests walked down the Prom in the storm.

Leigh said: "I don't know how we made it! We caused quite a stir. I think there's still a few brollies missing."

Later, when one of the guests suggested it would be nice to dance in the Tower Ballroom, staff cleared the dance floor to let them.

"They played the organ and we had the most magical first dance," Leigh said.

"We were really overwhelmed with everyone's comments and cheers. It was incredible."

Groom Paul joked that if he had known his first dance would take place on one of the most iconic dance floors in the world, "he wouldn't have turned up".

"I was nervous dancing in front of 40 people, never mind hundreds I didn't know, but it made the day," he said.

"It was full and there were a lot of good dancers in there too."

Rob Smith, general manager of Blackpool Tower, said: "It was a special moment and one our team will never forget.

"The Tower Ballroom is one of the most famous venues in the world and Leigh and Paul are now part of its history.

"We wish them both all the very best for the future."

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