A COMMUNITY turned out as one to celebrate the wedding of a couple it helped to set up home in a Furness village.

Hundreds of people crowded into the church and main square at Broughton-in-Furness on Sunday to join in the festivities.

The wedding of Carly-Jade Bath and Stephen Holland, both 23, had been eagerly anticipated.

They had invited the whole village to their nuptials as a thank you for the help they had been given in decorating and furnishing their home.

The pair had scrimped and saved to buy their £160,000 terraced home in Broughton Square, but were struggling for furniture.

So they put a notice in the post office window and were inundated with people coming forward with furniture, soft furnishings and offering to do DIY.

Villagers filled St Mary’s Parish Church during the traditional service, led by the Rev Nick Thornley, with wild flowers tied to the historic building’s aisles. Nineteen bridesmaids dressed in flowing white dresses preceded Carly-Jade down the aisle. The bride wore a classic corset-style dress.

A harp, played by Phoebe Thompson, entertained the congregation while the couple signed their wedding papers.

The bride’s mother, Diana Bath, who owns the post office in Broughton where Carly-Jade works, said she stayed up until 2am the night before making her daughter’s bouquet of yellow roses, along with all of the bridesmaids’ hair pieces. The new Mrs Holland said: “It has been a lovely day — it’s how I’ve always wanted my wedding to be.”

She said they had a romantic trip to Paris booked for their honeymoon.

Mr Thornley said: “I’ve done a lot of weddings in my time but none quite like this. It’s a really good idea — it’s how weddings should be. It’s more relaxed and involves the whole community.”

Mrs Bath said she was really happy to see so many people turn out for the day.

Stephen’s mother, Susan Holland, said: “I was quite surprised when Stephen told me he was going to invite the whole village. But it’s been a lovely wedding.”

Pink and purple balloons decorated tables in a marquee in the village centre. The tables were groaning under the weight of buffet food which had been made by residents.

Villagers were unable to help when it came to the weather and although the sun shone for the bridal party on their way into church, heavy rain fell during the reception.