Most couples look back on their wedding day with fond memories.

But Luke and Trudie Butterworth have more reason than most to relive what happened on Their Big Day.

For the couple, who are now making a new life for themselves in New York, had to beat the devastating Christmas floods which swamped Calderdale.

Their original plans for a service at a church had to be scrapped hours before it was due to take place as there was no heating or lighting because of the floods.

WATCH our flooding recap video below

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And with many of the roads around Calderdale under water, it meant logistical problems in getting guests to the wedding at The Fleece in Barkisland.

But despite all the obstacles, the couple managed to organise TWO ceremonies, thanks to friendly local minister the Rev Phil Parkinson, and the efforts of pub staff, hairdressers, family and friends.

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Luke, 26, of Lindley, met Trudie Vallender, 25, of Brighouse while both were at Rastrick High School. Luke left the school at 16 to become a professional squash player which took him to the United States.

Luke is now a professional squash player and runs his own coaching programme while Trudie is an executive assistant in New York.

They had planned their wedding to coincide with a trip home for the Christmas holiday but thought any weather problems would be through snow or ice rather than the record rainfall which devasted the area.

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Trudie said: “Our wedding was on December 27 and we woke up on Boxing Day, the previous day, and already had a little panic knowing that the Luke’s suit was the wrong size. On our way to change it at Junction 32, blissfully unaware of the flood warnings in and around Todmorden where the wedding was to take place, we began to receive calls from some of anxious guests and family.

“We called Todmorden Unitarian Church and they explained that as it stands currently we should prepare for the worst. The whole town was knee deep in water, the church staff were currently helping all the local businesses with anything that they could and there was no heating or light.

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“But the minister told us that even if we needed to wade through water to get up to the church, we would be getting married.”

Luke said they arranged for the Yorkshire Heritage Bus Company who they had hired for the day to collect guests from flooded areas and take them to The Fleece, for a second wedding ceremony.

The pub pulled out all the stops and arranged a makeshift aisle. He said: “They welcomed the idea and told us they would make it happen.”

A day of frantic phone calls to venue stylist, photographer, limo company, hair, make up and all the guests saw the couple replan the entire day.

Luke said: “There was no electricity or heating at the church because of the floods. I was standing freezing cold at the end of the aisle as Trudie and her father walked down it. She was in her wellies, curlers and no make-up but had never looked so beautiful.

Thanks for a great day! Luke and Trudie Butterworth celebnrate with their guests having beaten the floods

“We had a short and sweet ceremony, with no giving of rings, and we dedicated a minute of silence to my mum, Lorraine Butterworth who had passed away of cancer at Kirkwood Hospice just months before the day.

“We signed the registers, had a quick confetti throw and then separated. The next time we saw each other was just over three hours later but this time in our suits and dresses, all done up and ready to marry for a second time!

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“The ceremony at The Fleece was just as significant as the previous. We said our vows and exchanged our rings. It was both a great mix of emotion, love and laughter and we will remember it for the rest of our lives.”

The couple thanked all those who made the day such a triumph after possible disaster.

Luke added: “In the end, we wouldn’t change our wedding day for the world. As a couple over the past four years we have been through a lot. We always say if everything came easy then we wouldn’t appreciate it as much as what we do.

“We managed to get married legally, and married in front of all of our loved ones, and that is all that mattered.”