Childhood sweethearts who first met in school wed in intimate Askam ceremony

Natalie Ingram, 28, a solicitor, from Dalton, first met Alex Brierley, 28, a design engineer, from Ireleth whilst they were both pupils at Dowdales School.

The couple, who now live in Leeds, became a couple in Year 11 and have stayed together ever since.

Mrs Brierley said: "We met at school - it was a bit of a childhood romance.

"We went to separate universities but stayed together. We got various jobs, Alex got a job in Ulverston and I got a job in Leeds then I persuaded him to come here.

"He made me laugh and we always got along really well."

The couple got engaged whilst visiting a stately home in Yorkshire in February last year.

Mrs Brierley said: "Alex took me to a place in Yorkshire called Swinton Estate which is a country house and has lots of grounds and a lake.

"He set up an afternoon tea and it was very romantic.

"Given how long we'd been together, I was expecting it but the day was a complete surprise.

"He got down on one knee - it was all a bit of a blur.

"He said I took the ring and put it on without even saying yes

"Both families were over the moon and said it was about time."

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic forcing the guest list to be cut down considerably, the couple was adamant on still going ahead.

Mrs Brierley said: "We had originally planned a much bigger wedding which obviously couldn't go ahead.

"But we felt like we still wanted to recognise the day so we had a legal ceremony and decided to postpone the main wedding until next year."

The couple enjoyed an intimate ceremony at Ireleth & Askam St Peter's Church with immediate family and close family friends .

"It was intimate but perfect," Mrs Brierley said.

"In hindsight, I'm really glad we did do it that way. It was a nice way to celebrate the relationship.

"After the church we just went back to my parents house in Askam and had some nibbles and champagne."

The couple is planning their official reception at Belmount Hall in Hawkshead next August.

"We're really hoping that's able to still go ahead next year," Mrs Brierley said.

"We've invited 100 people and it'll be a big, traditional event."

For their honeymoon, the couple was originally planning to travel to Mauritius for three weeks, however, the trip has been postponed to next year.

Instead the couple opted for a staycation in the Lakes for a few days instead.