A couple has shared what it was like to get married at a Frankie & Benny's restaurant for free, with former TOWIE star James Argent as their makeshift officiant.
Darren, 36, from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, and Aneeka, 38, from Ashton-Under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, tied the knot on Sunday at one of the Italian food chain's diners near Leeds, West Yorkshire.
As fans of the chain restaurant, the newlyweds, who wish not to disclose their surnames, entered their Valentine's Day competition for a chance to win a free £10,000 wedding and were told just last Monday that they were the lucky winners.
They say the big day was everything they could have hoped for and more - and that it was the perfect 'icebreaker' for their families to finally meet.
But when they first told their relatives what was happening, they were in disbelief.
"We found out last Monday that we were getting married," Darren said and laughing, added: "My dad thought it was a scam and we had to convince him it wasn't.
"We never win anything."
"The reactions have been hilarious," Aneeka said.
"But everyone has been so supportive. It allowed our families to finally meet and that was a big thing to happen. It was a really special icebreaker."
"It was the best way for 20 people to meet each other as a new family," Darren added.
"It was beyond what we would have wanted."
Darren, an ecologist, and Aneeka, a secondary school attendance officer, met on dating website Plenty of Fish in November 2018.
They both felt fortunate to meet each other later in life but due to work commitments, Darren studying in Sheffield, and then the 2020 Covid pandemic, they've had to live separately this whole time - delaying big milestones such as marriage and starting a family.
During lockdown, they shared remote movie nights over Zoom and would keep in touch with Whatsapp messages and would send each other gifts in the post.
Then last February, Darren proposed to Aneeka in one of their favourite spots - Park Bridge in Oldham - where they used to have lockdown dates.
Her family and friends were in on the act, setting up a picnic area with balloons, and were there to celebrate the moment.
"It was very emotional," Aneeka recalled.
"The only word that kept coming out of my mouth was 'really?' All my friends and family were there to capture the moment and it was really lovely to have them a part of it".
When Aneeka saw the competition by Frankie & Benny's on social media, she thought they should just 'go for it'.
They both wrote an entry message on social media about their relationship so far, with Aneeka mentioning that they still don't live together because she wanted to be married before sharing a home.
And amid money worries, they thought it was a great idea to relieve stress after looking at pricey venues.
The newlyweds will still have to marry legally at a registry office, and in the summer, they plan to host a 'big Indian party' with all of their relatives, including some from overseas.
Aneeka, who wore a royal blue sari for her wedding, said: "The process has definitely taken a weight off our shoulders financially.
"Every time we went to a venue, it disheartens you a little because it's a lot of money.
"We kept going in circles about what we wanted. After this prize, we can now focus on what we want to do to celebrate with the rest of the family later this year."
They were able to have 22 guests in attendance at the wedding, located at the chain's eatery at Centre 27 in Batley.
It kicked off with a ceremony hosted by TV personality James Argent - whose role in the big day was kept as a surprise.
They then had a three-course meal from the restaurant's menu followed by a live band and saxophone player.
"My dad walked me down the aisle. It was beautiful," Aneeka said.
"Arg spoke about our backstory. It was just so surreal but it really did feel like our wedding. I had all the same nerves that I would have done if we had organised it.
"It was beautifully decorated.
"I kept smiling looking at him [James Argent] like 'this is just bizarre but brilliant.'"
The couple has a photo album with pictures from the wedding and say it's a day they'll cherish forever.
"It's a story for our relationship. We are going to have that forever, we'll always laugh and smile about that day," Darren added.
Sasha Storey, Frankie & Benny's Head of Brand, said: "At Frankie & Benny's we believe nothing should get in the way of love.
"We understand that with the current cost of living crisis it may be hard for couples and families to prioritise paying for a wedding when disposable income has become so squeezed.
"We were thrilled to help take that pressure off and throw an all-out wedding and reception, bringing families and friends together in true Frankies style!"
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