Childhood sweethearts Trish and Joe Alston have ‘married’ for the second time, 15 years after they first became Mr and Mrs officially.

The couple ‘married’ last weekend at The Higher Trapp Hotel in Simonstone in a picture perfect day which could not have been more different than their first wedding day on July 31st, 2009. For Trish had just given birth to their oldest son, Thomas, four days earlier. Diagnosed with the life threatening condition pre eclampsia, Thomas was delivered by emergency caesarian-section at 32 weeks.

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“I was determined not to miss my wedding day, “ said Trish. “So, against doctor’s orders I discharged myself from hospital and got ready for my big day.”

Childhood sweethearts Trish and Joe Alston have married for the ‘second’ time in a dream ceremony and reception at The Higher Trapp Hotel in Simonstone, 15 years after they first became Mr and Mrs officially.

placeholder image — Childhood sweethearts Trish and Joe Alston have married for the ‘second’ time in a dream ceremony and reception at The Higher Trapp Hotel in Simonstone, 15 years after they first became Mr and Mrs officially.

Joe, who serves in the Armed Forces, was stationed in Northern Ireland and he had made the trip over especially for the wedding at the old Burnley Register Office. The couple were one of the last ones to tie the knot there before it was closed and re-located to Todmorden Road.

After saying their vows the couple had a reception at Nelson House in Manchester Road, now The Holgate, but Trish had to leave the celebrations early. She added: “I just felt so ill I had to leave. I couldn’t enjoy the day at all. I didn’t even have time to get my hair and make up done properly as we had rushed to the hospital to see Thomas first thing.”

Once she and Thomas, who is now 15, were well enough Trish joined Joe in Northern Ireland. Since then they have had another son, Daniel, who is almost 13, and the family has moved all over the UK every few years. They currently live at Preston barracks. The couple, who met at cadet camp when Trish was 15 and Joe a year older, enjoyed a long distance romance as teens as Trish lived in Accrington and Joe in Carnforth.

“I always felt cheated when it came to my wedding day, especially as we saw all our friends getting married with big white weddings, “ said Trish who is now 36. “We decided it was time for us to have that special day and it couldn’t have been more perfect and it was lovely to share it with the boys too.”

Childhood sweethearts Trish and Joe Alston on their wedding day in July, 2009. Trish had to leave the celebrations early as she had given birth to their son Thomas four days earlier by emergency c-section. The couple have married for the ‘second’ time 15 years after they first became Mr and Mrs officially.

Trish’s lifelong pal, Sarah Purdy, who was her maid of honour the first time round, acted a celebrant for the second wedding and Joe had his long standing pal, Matt Taylor, by his side as Best Man. And the couple wrote their vows to each other.

Trish added: “It may sound strange but I feel like we have had closure now. I absolutely love Joe with all my heart, he is my best friend and we do everything together and this has made our love even stronger. We are looking forward to seeing what the next 15 years bring.”