WEDDINGS Couple who met three decades ago tie the knot

The couple: Karen Louise Egan. 52, from Cilfynydd, and Jeff Ashton, 56, from Gwaelod y Garth. Karen is a health care support worker and Jeff is an assessor on the railway. The couple live together in Pontypridd. The wedding: Karen and Jeff married at the Llechwen Hall Hotel, near Pontypridd, on Saturday, September 30. How they met: The couple dated for a while more than 30 years ago.

They split up but eventually got back together about 13 and a half years ago.

Karen first bumped into Jeff more than three decades ago at her local pub, The Commercial Hotel. Jeff was playing the drums there at the time. The proposal: Karen said: “Jeff proposed to me in Cyprus six years ago. At the time we were away celebrating his 50th birthday.

“He proposed on our balcony which overlooked the beach.

“One of our favourite songs was playing at the same time.” The wedding: The day started in a very special way.

Jeff sent a surprise limousine to collect Karen and the bridal party from the house.

Karen said: “All 16 of us went in the same car which was lovely – our mums, the five bridesmaids, a flower girl and the three pageboys.

“My son and three special friends were also with us.”

When the bride arrived at the venue, the party was greeted by a bagpipe player, which Karen adored.

An opera singer was also on hand to sing the couple’s favourite song, Amazed, and Karen’s son Daniel walked her down the aisle.

This was very special for Karen, as Daniel flew all the way from Sierra Leone to be by his mum’s side on her special day.

Karen added: “It was a lovely day and we laughed all day. It was the best day of my life. We loved every minute of it.” The honeymoon: The couple had some time to relax at home after the wedding, before jetting off to Crete to celebrate together.