A guard of honour raised a salute of silver swords for Whaley Bridge Army nurse Melanie Lath as she was married to Light Dragoons corporal Chris Dyke.
Melanie and Chris first met in Canada, while on separate Army training courses. As boy and girlfriend they met up again as each served miles apart in war-torn Afghanistan. The Light Dragoons are due to serve in Afghanistan again next summer.
Bright sunshine shone off the six man guard of honour’s swords and silver spurs, which added to the smartness of their dark blue dress uniforms and red caps. They welcomed Melanie and her father Jeremy, with seven bridesmaids, at the gateway to St James’s church, Taxal – and later, as the service finished, with the full arch of swords.
Two of Melanie’s bridesmaids, Rachel Simmons and Hannah Hardman, had attended Taxal and Fernilee primary school with Melanie. The groom comes from Rugeley, Staffs.
The reception was held at the Old Hall, where the bride’s father is executive head chef. After a short honeymoon, the couple will return to their home near Northallerton, north Yorkshire. They ran in the Great North race on Sunday 18 Sept. Melanie and Chris are planning a full honeymoon cruise from Mexico, starting on Boxing Day.