I won our wedding

Claire Morton, 36, had her £12 day – and didn’t have to pay a penny!

- FRANCES LEATE

Witha mischievous, slightly nervous look on his face, my boyfriend of three years, James, then 30, handed me half a chocolate Easter egg filled with ice-cream. ‘Here you go,’ he chuckled, passing me a spoon.

‘Oh, wow!’ I grinned, ready to tuck in. Only, as I was about to dip my spoon in, I noticed something glimmering on top. Gasping, I pulled out a white-gold diamond ring and stared at James in shock.

‘Will you marry me?’ he laughed. I didn’t hesitate, wrapping my arms around him and smothering him in kisses as our seven-month-old daughter, Zia, looked up at us.

That was April 2015 and, as happy as I was browsing wedding magazines over the next few weeks, my heart sank at the cost of it all. The dream church wedding with scores of guests, a fancy car and posh dress were well beyond my humble wage as a dental nurse and James’ salary as a milkman. ‘

We’ll just have to do something small,’I told him.

I'll Stil be the perfect day.' James replied

I knew in my heart that it wasn't all about an expensive gown, and just being with all my friends and family while I married the love of my life would still be incredible, no matter what.

Each month, we put away as much money as possible and planned our big day for March 2017. Browsing wedding venues on Facebook one day, I noticed lots of competitions appearing on my newsfeed – a free wedding cake, a posh car for the day, even a hen do. All I had to do was like and share the posts.

‘As if anyone ever wins these things,’ I groaned, deciding it wasn’t worth my time and putting my phone down.