Bride meets Mayor en route to service

Michelle Cheetham on her wedding day with her father, David Scott, bridesmaids and Mayor Ray Dutton and Mayoress Elaine Dutton

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It’s not every day that the Mayor of Rochdale attends your wedding, but that’s exactly what happened to Michelle Cheetham on her wedding day on Saturday.

Michelle, her father, David Scott, and bridesmaids were making their way to Holy Trinity Church in Littleborough for the ceremony when they crossed paths with the parade from the annual Rushbearing Festival.

She said: “We knew the parade was on but we didn’t think that we would bump into them.

“The Mayor Ray Dutton and Mayoress Elaine Dutton approached us for a photograph which was a lovely surprise. They were even wearing navy blue which matched the wedding colours.

“The day was better than we expected, it really blew me away.”

The service, performed by Rev Ian Bullock, at Holy Trinity Church was attended by 350 people.

Guests were later treated to a meal at Rochdale Town Hall, which received high praise from Mrs Cheetham. A further 100 people also attended the night celebrations.

She said: “Staff at the Town Hall couldn’t do enough for us, and it was so efficient despite there being so many people.”

The top table, which seated Mrs Cheetham and her new husband David, was placed on a stage so the party had an excellent view of the guests.

Mrs Cheetham said: “It was a truly amazing experience and I would like to thank my family and friends, Rev Ian Bullock of Holy Trinity Church, Sonja, Lisa Christie, Carla and Lee Lorimer and Sam Wall.”