A COUPLE who got engaged in New York after meeting online have tied the knot in an ‘intimate’ Lakes wedding.

Laura Heavyside, 29, a marketing manager originally from Walney, has said ‘I do’ to Antony Lavender, 31, an air operations supervisor from Hertfordshire.

The pair first met five years ago on the online dating site Plenty of Fish before heading to their local pub for a drink.

The now Mrs Lavender said: "Often, it can be tense in those situations but it all went quite smoothly.

“We had a connection straight away because we had a similar sense of humour.

“I really liked how intelligent he was. You could definitely tell the connection was there. I walked home with smiles on my face.”

The couple became engaged during a trip to New York three years later.

“We were in Central Park when Ant suggested we have a break,” Mrs Lavender said.

“I was enthralled by the skyline, the views were amazing and he was trying to get my attention by talking to me but I was too busy staring at the sky.

“I turned around and he was on one knee. It was absolutely amazing. I was crying with happiness and excitement.

“It was in a quiet corner and was a very intimate moment. As we started walking bag, we went to the Plaza to celebrate.

“Ant had to guide me on the walk back home because I was staring at ring in shock."

The pair said ‘I do’ at Storrs Hall in Bowness-on-Windermere alongside 50 of their nearest and dearest.

Mrs Lavender said: “It was quite an intimate and small wedding.

“We had family from all over the country - Barrow, Yorkshire, Hertfordshire, we had relatives from California as well.

“A lot of guests hadn’t visited the Lakes before so it was really nice for them.”

Mrs Lavender described the big day as ‘intimate’ and ‘truly exceeded our expectations’.

“We actually surprised our guests with a private boat hire on Windermere,” Mrs Lavender said.

“I told everyone to be on the lawn for 3pm and nobody knew why.

“Next thing, there was a boat docking up on the jetty. They couldn’t believe it.

“We actually got married outside on the pavilion and the views were beautiful. Everyone kept saying they could feel the romance in the air.

“It was just the most perfect setting and so lovely getting both families together."

For their honeymoon, the pair embarked on a short break to Mexico, and are planning a three-week road trip around New England.

All photography featured in the article is by Ladybirds Photography.