A LOVESTRUCK couple engaged for five years enjoyed a Christmas wedding followed by a festive feast by the fire after tying the knot.

Jenny Cochrane, 30, an intelligence analyst, and Jonathon Strachan, 31, a cyber risk manager, tied the knot at Cote How in a 'unique' wedding with just three people present.

The pair, who are both from Thirsk, first met at York St John University in 2010 where they both had part time jobs at Marks & Spencer.

Mr Strachan said: "I loved her eyes and smile, and her warm and caring nature."

Mrs Strachan said: "We just instantly had ‘the spark’ and got on so so well."

The pair got engaged on Mrs Strachan's 25th birthday at the Seaham Hall Hotel.

"I’d had one too many glasses of red wine at the time and had to check it was real when I woke up in the morning!" Mrs Strachan said.

"It was a complete surprise. He popped the question after a lovely birthday meal at the hotel. We had a long engagement and did not marry for five years after our engagement. We weren’t sure what kind of wedding we wanted, neither of us wanted the traditional big wedding and all of our savings went into our first and second home we bought together."

Last summer, the pair decided to take the plunge and opted for an intimate wedding at Cote How.

Mrs Strachan said: "In summer 2021, we decided it was time to be brave and do exactly what felt right to us and not follow the ordinary ‘tradition’.

"We eloped to the Lakes and married at a wonderful intimate venue called Cote How by ourselves.

"We incorporated our wedding into a relaxing break away from home in one of our favourite places and stayed at a lovely spa hotel, Low Wood Bay.

"We did tell close friends and family before, who were all really supportive and knew that this was right and unique for us. We decided to celebrate with all our loved ones after our actual wedding day."

Mrs Strachan described their wedding day as 'unique' and 'everything they wanted'.

She said: "We incorporated our wedding into a relaxing break away from home in the Lakes. The day before our wedding, we enjoyed an amazing spa day and ate delicious burgers in the hotel restaurant.

"The room within Cote How was intimate and cosy and perfect for the nature of the day. Cote How was decorated for Christmas, there were fairly lights, candles, a roaring fire and a Christmas tree- it was incredibly romantic.

"After our ceremony, we ventured out in the drizzle with our photographer to get some amazing snaps at Rydal Water.

"The wet December day didn’t dampen our spirits - after all, we were equipped with wellies and an umbrella.

"After around an hour, we returned back to Cote How and enjoyed a festive Cumbrian picnic by the fire.

"We relaxed for the rest of the day before having another delicious meal at the hotel that evening. The day was truly everything that we wanted and felt so unique to us. It was a dream come true."