A LOVED-UP couple from Orford will be sharing their big day with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Saturday as they say I do after a five-year engagement.
Chris Curtis and Lindsay Hill have been planning to tie the knot on May 19 for more than a year at the Hallmark Hotel, on Knutsford Old Road in Grappenhall.
The couple, who have been together for nine years, will be joined by family, friends and their two children Cole, five, and Elliot, three, as they become husband and wife.
But the pair, who met through mutual friends, won't be the only couple exchanging vows as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will wed at St George's Chapel, in the grounds of Windsor Castle, that same day.
Thirty-year-old electrician Chris said: "When it was announced that Harry and Meghan were getting married the same day, we were told things like the price of flowers might increase.
"At wedding fairs, prices had gone up and places started to get booked up so we were lucky to have planned in advance.
"We are getting married at 2pm and Harry and Meghan are at 12pm so they will just beat us to it, but I'm a huge United fan so for me it's the same day as the FA Cup Final."
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While Harry proposed to American-born Meghan at his home Nottingham Cottage, Chris got down on one knee in a much more royal setting - in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle in Disneyland Orlando five years earlier.
And while the couple will have three bridesmaids, Lindsay's lifelong friend Emma Dawson and Chris' sisters Chloe and Ria Johnson, members of Ms Markle's bridal party have not yet been revealed.
Lindsay and Chris are due to wed at the Hallmark Hotel
Twenty-five-year-old Lindsay, a beautician at Harmony Beauty Therapy on Knutsford Road, said: "It's great to be having our wedding on the same date and I'm sure the Royals will have an amazing day, but we booked our wedding before them so it's our day.
"The reason for the delay in getting married comes down to us having our two little boys, Cole and Elliot, and just really making sure that it's what we both want.
"We both understand what marriage means. We believe you should be married once and that is it until death."
READ: Four ways to follow the royal wedding in Warrington
FORMER United Utilities workers Kate Cleary and Richard Berry will be getting married on Saturday – an hour after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle become husband and wife.
The couple, both from Widnes, have been planning their big day for two-and-a-half years.
They met five years ago when they both worked at United Utilities, on Lingley Mere Business Park.
Thirty-two-year-old Kate said: “We wanted our wedding to be around the same time as our fifth anniversary.
“I couldn’t believe it when I heard the royal wedding was on the same day.
“What are the chances of that happening?”
While the nation watches the royal couple tie the knot at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Couple, Kate and Richard will be preparing to exchange their vows under a pergola in the walled garden of Runcorn’s 900-year-old Norton Priory.
If it rains, the ceremony will be held in the restored 12th century ancient undercroft.
The couple’s two-and-a-half year old son Lucas will be a pageboy – following in the footsteps of Prince George.
Kate and Richard have invited 50 relatives and friends to witness their wedding – unlike Harry and Meghan who will be watched by millions all over the world.
Richard, 28, said: “I am excited and a bit nervous.It will be a very special day.”
Kate doesn’t want to reveal details of her dress but says her bouquet will include cream and white roses and lots of foliage.
They plan to get married in the walled garden at Norton Priory
The couple, who now both work at the Ombudsman Services on Chester Road, are looking forward to celebrating at a reception in The Holiday Inn.
Kate added: “I’ve seen a few things on the news but I’ve been too wrapped up in our own wedding planning to follow the details of the royal wedding.
“We have got lots of friends and family coming on the day and we just want everything to come together now so we can have a big celebration.”
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