Couple surprise wedding guests with mini steam train

A couple who met while working for a train company gave their guests a "complete surprise" at their wedding when they put on a miniature steam train to take them to the venue.

Helen and Rory Appleton, from Golborne, near Wigan, have been together for 10 years and tied the knot at Bashall Barn in Clitheroe, Lancashire, last week.

"Without the railway there's no me and Helen," Rory said, "So we felt it only natural to include some railway elements into the wedding."

He said it was "absolutely bonkers" to come back from honeymoon on Wednesday and see a video of the train full of wedding guests posted by the venue had one million views on TikTok.

Helen, 38 and Rory, 48, work for Avanti West Coast based out of Preston where Helen is a manager, and Rory is a train driver.

Helen said they kept the wedding train "a complete secret from everybody so it was a surprise for all the guests".

"I was getting ready so I didn't even see anybody on the train until afterwards," she said.

"My bridal suite had a door that led just where the track was going and one of my bridesmaids opened the door and she was like 'erm, Helen, there's some train tracks being laid outside' and I said 'oh yeah that's just our steam train don't worry about that'."

The train took friends and family on a short journey from the car park to the venue.

Wedding planner, Issy Bentley Ellis, said organising the railway - which was brought in specially for the wedding - was "the most interesting and fun request we've had so far".

Steph Murphy from the venue, said: "It was such a fantastic wedding and the couple were absolutely lovely.

"We honestly can't believe how much the videos have taken off, but it really was such a unique and brilliant idea.

"Every wedding is different, and it's great when couples can put their own stamp on the day and create something that feels completely them."

"The day just went so fast, but it was absolutely brilliant," Helen said.

"It was an absolutely stunning day from the minute I woke up on the morning and the sun was shining.

"All our friends and family have come out saying it was the best wedding they've ever been to and that was all we wanted."

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