Former Barrow Raiders player Liam Finch, 30, married his true love Lauren Sanders, 31, in a stunning, relaxed wedding over the festive period.

Liam, who now works as a wind turbine technician, and Lauren, a healthcare assistant at Norwood Medical Centre in Barrow, married on Wednesday December 28 before jetting off to ring in the new year as man and wife.

How they met: After a night out in Barrow the couple met in the Hot Potato take-away and got chatting over a shared pizza.

Proposal: Liam asked Lauren to marry him on the first night they spent in their new home together. The couple were enjoying a cosy movie night when Liam surprised Lauren with an engagement ring.

Venue: St Mary’s Church, Dalton.

Theme: Informal and relaxed.

Bride's Outfit: Lauren wore a stunning, fitted dress from the White Gallery at Ramsbottom, Bury.

Best man: James Finch, the groom’s brother.

Maid of honour: Emma Salisbury, the bride’s sister.

Flowers: Beautiful festoons of natural cream and white blooms with plenty of green foliage, arranged by Floral & Hardy, Market Street, Ulverston.

Transport: The happy couple arrived in a Mercedes from CJS Car Sales Ltd, Askam.

Reception: Abbey House Hotel Barrow.

Table settings: Rustic mason jars adorned the tables, overflowing with beautiful flowers also arranged by Floral & Hardy.

Cake: A tree tier pork pie cake from Higginson’s butchers, Grange. The couple received rave reviews about it from all guests.

First Dance: Walk the Moon – Shut Up and Dance With Me.

Entertainment: An acoustic set from Danny and Chris McGuire followed by a 1980’s-style all American jukebox from SAP Pro Audio, Kendal.

Honeymoon: The couple spent the first few weeks of the new year in the Canary Islands.

Photographer: Steve Hillman Photography.