Kenyon’s ‘betrayal’ – on North End – as he marries childhood sweetheart

Preston North End fan Kenyon Booth married the other love of his life, Sarah Hyde – after waiting a decade to do so.
Sarah Hyde & Kenyon Booth Pictures: Richard Howard - www.rhphotography.netSarah Hyde & Kenyon Booth Pictures: Richard Howard - www.rhphotography.net
Sarah Hyde & Kenyon Booth Pictures: Richard Howard - www.rhphotography.net

College sweethearts Sarah and Kenyon, a lifeguard and swimming teacher in Leyland who originally lived in Penwortham, met at Runshaw College 10 years ago and tied the knot on May 3 at St Wilfrids RC Church, Longridge.

At the reception at Gibbon Bridge, Chipping, guests, including Sarah’s brother, who had flown over from Canada especially for the happy occasion, enjoyed food and drinks in the glorious gardens.

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Following the wedding breakfast, that included wine glass charms for place settings and favours of sweetpea and forget-me-not flower seeds, the groom came in for the traditional teasing from his best men.

Sarah, a Lancaster textile colourist from Longridge, says: “Kenyon had two best men who were both brilliant with their speeches.

“One spoke about the time Kenyon used to work for Booths in the freezer department and the other compared me against Kenyon’s other love, Preston North End.

“He has been watching them since he was nine years old.”

The speeches were followed with a projected recording of interviews with Kenyon’s heroes.

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Sarah says: “Some of the PNE players gave their thoughts of his betrayal to North End by getting married, before saying they were only joking and gave their best wishes.”

The newlyweds had a live piano first dance, played by a family friend, learning a waltz routine from family friends, that ended in a ‘dipping kiss’.

And as the evening guests arrived, the father of the bride had a surprise in store.

Sarah says: “My dad went on the stag do to Benidorm earlier in the year as an ‘honorary lad again’.

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“Later, during the evening reception, he got changed into his holiday linen suit, hat and stuck-on moustache and bought the stag lads a green chilli shot before hilariously dancing to away to Gangnam Style.”

And evening guests were also treated to sparklers and a photobooth corner filled with silly props to take away special memories.

Sarah says: “It was the best day ever.

“We had so many lovely compliments from our guests and my parents have had so many letters of gratitude, it’s been amazing!”

“The only hiccup of the day was one of the bestmen – Kenyon’s brother – locked his car keys in his car.

“The AA had to come to the rescue!

“Obviously, comments had to be made about that in the groom’s speech to give a brotherly dig.”