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Chorley credit crunch wedding
Some opt for a stately home, others even a castle, but one Chorley couple decided the perfect venue for their big day would be a garage.
Crunch-busting Ben Alty and new wife Karolina vowed their wedding day would not cost more than 1,000.
So with a dress from a charity shop and suit from Hong Kong, the pair celebrated their nuptials in style in Ben's mum and dad's garage.
The 26-year-old groom, of Burgh Lane, explained: "Weddings are a massive expense - even the smallest of ones, and we didn't want to start our married life in debt.
"We got engaged 12 months ago at Lover's Leap in Rivington and we wanted to be the perfect hosts at our wedding with a sit down meal and big party.
"We knew we would have to adapt the idea slightly for our budget and then the garage was mentioned."
Ben's mum Sue spent two weeks sewing material ordered off the internet together to transform the double garage with drapes and chair covers.
The interior was finished off with balloons and glasses, and cutlery from car boot sales.
Ben, a community learning officer, added: "When we started out the garage was filled with junk, but when it was decorated it looked absolutely beautiful.
"When we told friends that we were having the wedding in the garage they were shocked, but they rang us after to say it was the best wedding they have ever been to."
The couple used Ben's great-grandmother's and grandad's wedding rings, and Karolina travelled to St Gregory's Church in the best man's Jaguar.
Family and neighbours chipped in by helping to prepare a five course meal made from produce bought from Chorley market and they even waited on during the meal.
More than 100 people turned out for the evening reception and the biggest expense was 250 which they splashed out on champagne and alcohol.
"It was perfect," said bride Karolina, 23, who is originally from Poland and met Ben at a New Year's Eve party in Krakow in 2006.
"My parents and sisters came over for the wedding and my mum and sisters made some beautiful cakes for us.
"The whole day was a big family and community effort and we enjoyed it so much because everyone cared so much."
With the average wedding costing in excess of 20,000, Ben said his message to other couple's looking to tie the knot was to think cheap.
He said: "People don't have to go to great expense to have a special day."
Have you got an interesting wedding story or even a crunch-busting one? Email reporter Natalie Banks at natalie.banks@lep.co.uk or ring 01257 264911.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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