VIDEO: Win a Wedding...the winners!
After hearing final pitches from each of the contestants, the judging panel – made up of Herald editor Amanda Chalmers, hotel wedding coordinator Amy Stanley-Ashcroft and general manager Chris Steadman - announced the winners after much deliberation.
Upon hearing the result an emotional Gemma said: “I’m just shaking! We’re just so over the moon. It hasn’t sunk in yet.
“Everyone here was such a deserving finalist. It meant a lot to all of the couples so I can’t believe we have won.”
The couple, who had to put their wedding plans on hold after becoming pregnant with their daughter Lily-Rose, now two, are now raring to go on their plans for their ‘second chance’ wedding day in autumn next year.
Hefin said: “We want to get married on a boat on the river. We have always had fun on boats and like doing things a bit different.”
Gemma added: “Lily-Rose will be a bridesmaid. She is obsessed with dogs and horses so I expect her dress will feature those in some way!”
The couple will now be in the expert hands of the Win a Wedding experts – all local businesses – to plan for the big day.
Herald editor Amanda Chalmers said: “The evening has been a bit of an emotional roller coaster for everyone involved – including the judges!
"But the competition has proved a huge success and the reaction of our winners last night sums up what this has been all about.
"Everyone at the newspaper wishes them the very best of luck for both their wedding day and the future ahead. And we will be back to capture the day itself with photographs to share with our readers."
For more pictures and a full interview with the winning couple, see next week’s Herald.