How lessons in love helped Lee and Holly enjoy the best day of their lives

He and his bride Holly spent many years at Stonyhurst College during their formative years; Lee as a student and Holly enjoying picnics in the grounds with her dad.

And on June 23, the pair returned to the church of St Peter’s at the college to marry.

Lee, a meat trader, and Holly, a trainee teacher, both from Preston, met at Ocean Bar and Grill on Canon Street in the city in September 2003.

Holly said “I was dressed in a school uniform with my friends for a student night at Squires, and were asking people to sign our shirts.

“Lee and his friends were the first to oblige and he wrote his number on my shirt.

“We would often meet up at Squires on a Monday for student night, before finally going on a date a year later.”

On the eighth anniversary of their first date, Lee surprised Holly with a trip to the Lake District.

While staying in the Windermere Boutique Hotel, Lee got down on one knee and proposed.

“I was completely surprised,” says Holly, “he caught me unawares as I was busy eating the complimentary biscuits!”

It was a no-brainer of where they would get married.

“I hold memories of Stonyhurst very dear to me, and we both wanted the day to be personal and intimate,” says Holly.

“We organised every 
detail, right down to the bidding prayers with tributes to family members who had passed away, including Lee’s father, John.

“It really made the service an emotional one.”

The bride’s best friend, and bridesmaid, Hannah, sang during the ceremony alongside her sister and dad.

“One of the highlights of the church service was Hannah’s sister Hayley singing while we signed the register,” says Holly.

“She has such a soulful voice. It makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.

“She sang Joyful Joyful, So Amazing and A Love That Will Last, making me, an many of our guests cry!

“She was amazing.”