A COUPLE whose wedding was at risk of being cancelled after their wedding venue closed unexpectedly have tied the knot at last.

Custom House in Poole Quay closed without warning earlier this year, following more than 20 years in business, leaving Gemma and Sean Carmichael scrambling for a new venue.

But thanks to coverage by the Daily Echo, several operators offered their services and Mr and Mrs Carmichael of Branksome eventually made their vows on Friday (JUN 9) in front of their family and friends at the Italian Villa at Compton Acres.

Gemma, now 25, said the wedding was "just magical".

"It was more than anything we ever could have asked for," she said. "The villa was amazing and the staff were great. It went so well."

She and her then fiancé Sean, now 30, had just three months to reorganise their wedding which included bringing family down from Gemma's native Scotland.

"This is how it was meant to be," she added. "We were meant to get married like this and we were so lucky to get the Italian Villa on the same day. It all just fell into place.

"In the last month there were some tears and tantrums about how it was all going to go but now I just wish we could do it all over again.

"The staff couldn't have been more helpful. Tony Beale, Nicola Langley, Justin Cohen and of course the Echo.

"Without you this wouldn't have happened."

The couple are now in the process of planning their honeymoon and their son Joshua's first birthday in two weeks with a Peter Rabbit-themed party.

Tony Beales, managing director of Beales Gourmet at The Italian Villa, said: “It was our absolute pleasure looking after Gemma and Sean on their big day. We are just delighted to have been able to help – hopefully helping them to completely forget about their initial ordeal, and we just wish them the happiest of futures together as husband and wife.”