Sponsored by
Slideshow: Roundhay's Mansion hosts first wedding since revamp
When Chris Dunne proposed to his new wife Alaina last December, their perfect venue was virtually a building site.
* Click here to sign up to free news and sport email alerts from Roundhay Today.
But now, the pair have become the first couple to marry at the newly-refurbished Roundhay Park Mansion in Leeds.
* Click here to become a fan of Roundhay Today on Facebook.
Chris and Alaina chose The Mansion after "falling in love" with it during a tour of the building in January.
Builders then faced a race against time to finish work on the historic house, which opened to the public last month.
* Click here for latest news in Roundhay & Oakwood.
Alaina, 27, said: "Our friends and family said we were mad booking a venue that was in such a derelict state.
"We'd looked at a few venues before we looked at The Mansion, including some four and five-star hotels, but they were very expensive.
"Then Chris came across The Mansion after reading an article on the internet. We went up to have a look and just fell in love it. "We knew straight away that was where we wanted to get married. It didn't smell very nice and it was quite damp, but it's a beautiful building."
Chris, 30, added: "Because it was such a new venue, we didn't pay any costs towards it at all, so we saved quite a bit of money. The planners were a bit hesitant at first because it was in quite a state, but when we saw the finished result, we were blown away."
Chris and Alaina were both students at Leeds Met University when they got together almost seven years ago.
The pair met while holding down part-time jobs at a British Gas complaints centre and became a couple on Alaina's 21st birthday.
More than 90 guests attended their wedding on Saturday, enjoying a three-course dinner of smoked salmon, lamb and cheesecake.
Entertainment was provided by city centre busker Tristan MacKay, also known as The Bedroom Orchestra, while Chris's best man was the DJ.
The wedding was organised by Leeds-based firm Dine, which became the tenants of the Leeds City Council-owned venue last year.
And in-keeping with the "new" theme, guests were also invited to stay at the brand new City Inn hotel at Granary Wharf, Leeds.
Chris added: "Alaina liked the novelty of it and she wanted something special. She took charge of everything and did a great job."
Chris and Alaina, an office manager, will head off to Mexico for their honeymoon.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Leeds
Friday 18 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 12 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 7 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North
