Ref. 26012-87THE SUN shone for Evening Advertiser Bride of the Year Lucy Griffin and her childhood sweetheart Neil Zerebecki when the couple married at the weekend.

The confetti swirled and the tiaras sparkled in the sunshine as the pair tied the knot at St Andrew's Church, Wanborough.

Lucy, 20, beamed as she strode up the aisle in a lavish ivory coloured, full length satin dress and veil.

Her sister, Emma, 22, was chief bridesmaid and led two other bridesmaids, Amy Hackett, 12, and her sister Sharni, seven.

The three wore lilac satin dresses and carried colourful bouquets of freesias and orchids.

A traditional ceremony was conducted by Wanborough parish priest, the Rev Robin

Cardwell, in front of about 80 guests, and a poem was read out by Neil's sister, Hayley, 25.

After posing for wedding pictures, taken by the Evening Advertiser's Stuart Harrison, the couple were whisked away to their reception in a gleaming Austin Princess Vanden Plas, to the cheers of friends and family.

Lucy and Neil, of Osprey Close, Covingham, have had a fairytale romance.

They grew up together, became best friends, and eventually fell in love. Neil proposed during a holiday in Cyprus two years ago.

Speaking during their reception at the Goddard Arms hotel in Old Town, dental nurse Lucy said: "Today has just been a dream come true because Neil and I have always known we would be together. I fell in love with him as a little girl. We are now just looking forward to the future.

"I was a bit nervous before the ceremony, but once I saw Neil at the altar I was fine."

Lucy's mother, Linda, 48, of Coleshill, said it was the proudest day of her life. She said: "I'm so proud. She looks beautiful. I know they will be so happy together.

"They have known each other since they were babies. It was just meant to be."

Neil, 23, a service manager at Nationwide's Chippenham branch, wore a black suit, an ivory coloured waistcoat and an ivory tie-cravat.

He said: "We have both wanted this day for so long. It feels strange now it has actually arrived.

"I wasn't really that nervous about the ceremony. I was more nervous about the speech."

Neil's twin brother, Darren, was his best man.

Darren said: "Lucy and Neil are just so alike, and they are very close. The secret of their relationship is that they like the same things."

After spending the night in the bridal suite at the Goddard Arms, the pair left for a honeymoon in the Maldives.

Lucy beat 177 other hopefuls to win the £8,000 dream wedding package run by the Evening Advertiser in conjunction with local businesses.

Among the businesses which pitched in to help were the Goddard Arms, Skyla Designs of Marlborough, which made the wedding dress, Young's Hire at Suits You at the Outlet Village, which provided suits, and Copperbox, of Peatmoor, which provided the tiaras and the bride's shoes.

The wedding car was provided by Dangerfields, of Lower Stratton. Sugar Celebrations, of Faringdon Road, Swindon, made the wedding cake, and Two Spoons, of North Star, provided the wedding stationery.

Wedding rings came from Deacons in Old Town, and Swindon's George Lesley Flowers provided the bouquets.

Lucy's hair and make-up was taken care of by Sharron Whiteley, of Pewsey, balloons were provided by the Party Box in Wootton Bassett and chocolates came courtesy of La Zahara in Old Town.