A wedding day is a time of jubilation for any couple.

But when the happy couple been engaged for 42 YEARS it could have been some what of an anti-climax!

That wasn’t the case for one Huddersfield couple as bride Daphne Thorpe joked: “I’m not wearing white, I’m not 21 and I’m definitely not pregnant!”

Daphne and fiance David Barker, of Crosland Moor, tied the knot at Huddersfield Town Hall - more than four decades after David initially popped the question.

And despite being offered a new engagement ring to replace the one David bought her which no longer fits she opted to have her current one altered for the occasion as it was so special.

It was also a double celebration as Daphne celebrated her 82nd birthday on her wedding day!

David, 71, said light-heartedly: “We’ve had the World Cup but I’ve got the gold!

The happy couple have talked about their wedding day many times but it’s long since become a quip of David’s saying: “We didn’t want to rush it.”

But once they had finally decided to take the plunge and set the date, the organising was handed over to their daughter Susan and son Nicholas to plan their special day.

Wedding of David Barker and Daphne Thorpe after 42-year engagement - Huddersfield Town Hall.
Wedding of David Barker and Daphne Thorpe after 42-year engagement - Huddersfield Town Hall.

Daphne said: “It’s been amazing. I don’t know why I didn’t do it before.

“Susan said not to worry, they would take care of everything but that just made me worry more as I didn’t know what was happening.

“I knew we were coming to Susan’s cafe after the Town Hall but its been absolutely marvellous.

“It’s been incredible.”

The ceremony was attended by more than 30 family and friends who have watched their love blossom over many years.

David said: “When it came to it I was choked. I was all the emotion.”

The couple met on the dance floor at the former Rawlins Dance School in Northumberland Street.

They’ve enjoyed a happy life together: David worked in railway maintenance and Daphne, worked for the Post Office in Huddersfield.

Nicholas gave his mother away and Susan, owner of Penny’s Pantry in Slaithwaite, hosted an afternoon wedding reception at the cafe for invited guests.

David’s best man was long-time friend Donald Cameron, of Birchencliffe, while Susan’s best friend Heather Brown had been waiting since she was 11 to carry out her bridesmaid duties.

Heather added: “It’s been so long that its become a joke that they asked me to be bridesmaid when I was a girl.

“I was gob smacked when they asked me again. I’ve got children of my own who are 25 and 29.

“It’s been amazing. Such a special day. Susan has done a fantastic job hosting.”

The newly-weds were being treated to a night away at a country hotel instead of a honeymoon.

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