A MONK BRETTON couple who won a money-can’t-buy wedding tied the knot during last weekend’s Pride event in Leeds.
Ryan Clay, 35, and Ben Bagshaw, 34, entered a competition which was run by Victoria Leeds, a shopping arcade in the city, and resulted in the couple receiving an all-expenses-paid ceremony on Sunday.
Their prize included a three-course meal for 20 guests at The Ivy, a champagne reception at Harvey Nichols, designer suits and shoes, pre-wedding facials, rings, an after party at Victoria Gate Casino and transport provided by Rolls-Royce.
The wedding took place under a rainbow-coloured floral archway and was conducted by TV host and equal rights advocate, Anna Richardson.
With a navy and burgundy theme throughout and a string quartet playing, the happy couple - who have been together for 14 years - were pronounced husband and husband.
Ryan, who entered the competition, said: “We were engaged for almost 13 years but various things have happened in our lives since that and have put a wedding on the back-burner.
“I think Ben thought that I had completely forgotten about or I was not interested in a wedding as we have now been together so long, but it’s actually the opposite.
“It was amazing to surprise him with a wedding to finally commit to our love after all these years and look forward to our futures as best friends, soulmates and husbands.”
