A top-of-the-world feeling designed to last forever

But when Paul Clayton asked Stephanie Redmond to marry him, the couple were, literally, on top of the world.

In April, 2013, the couple, from Chorley, were visiting the Burj Khalifa in Dubai when Paul, a managing director from Bamber Bridge, got down on one knee.

“When we made it back down to ground level Stephanie still didn’t believe me, even though we went straight to choose an engagement ring.

“It was only after I paid for it I think it actually sunk in.”

Stephanie, a marketing executive from Lostock Hall, added: “We had to have a ring specially made which took a couple of days and when we went back we were able to watch them set the diamond exactly how we wanted it, which made it more special.”

The pair met in 2009 and spent their first date at the Megabowl at the Captiol Centre. And on August 16, at Astley Bank, Darwen, Paul and Stephanie were married.

But, as all the best wedding days have, there was a hiccup.

“We weren’t aware that on the same day Darwen was holding its annual Gala Day, with the procession on the main road starting at 1pm,” says Paul.

“Most of our guests, including the photographer - and Stephanie - got stuck behind the slow moving procession that was moving at a walking pace. Fortunately the registrar was also stuck in the same queue.”

Stephanie and the guests finally arrived at 1.30pm.

“We had arranged most things together with Stephanie’s parents,” says Paul

“But, at the last minute, I organised for Paul Edmondson, a local magician to entertain our guests between the ceremony and reception.

“He was amazing and to see some of the reactions of our guests was brilliant.

“In fact, he lives in Chorley and since the wedding we keep bumping into him!”

Mr and Mrs Clayton went straight to Marrakech for 10 days to relax after their wedding but they will be re-visiting their beloved Dubai in January.

“Stephanie like Dubai that much that she said she’d happily go there for three full weeks if it wasn’t for me wanting to see more of Asia,” laughs Paul.

Bride’s parents

Patrick and Deborah Redmond

Groom’s parents

Peter and Tracey Clayton

Best man

Leigh Clayton

Bridesmaids

Angela Vernon, Kristina McCormick, Saffron Hickson-Marshall & Pria Hornby

Flowergirl

Charlotte Keighley

ushers

Martin Redmond & Simon Seaford

Honeymoon

Tour of Asia including Bangkok, Honk Kong nnd Kuala Lumpur