A NEWLYWED couple has celebrated their special day by having their reception at the supermarket where they first met.

Lee and Gill Carter held their wedding reception at the Asda Rawtenstall store’s café three years after Lee invited Gill to join his table because the café was full.

And as the couple could not afford to splash out on an expensive party on their big day, Asda stepped in to offer to host their reception and transform the café.

The pair were married at Accrington Registry Office before Asda colleagues lined up to applaud them into the store.

Mrs Carter, 55, said: “The café is a special place for us. When the colleagues applauded us in, it made our hearts pitter patter!

“We had a fantastic day and all of our guests really enjoyed it too.

“The colleagues went all out to make it special. It’s hard to put into words how pleased we are.

“It was lovely what they had done with the café – it looked wonderful.”

The couple had no idea how the café had been specially decorated with balloons and tablecloths for the wedding party until they stepped in the room.

They live five minutes’ walk from the store, which is located in the town centre of Rawtenstall, so visit it most days.

Mrs Carter said: “I’ve been coming to the café regularly for eight years for a bit of company and I think Lee did too.

“When we came in we weren’t on our own any more.

“When we met in the café it went from a spark to a flame.”

Store colleague Anne Whitley first suggested the café as a place to hold the reception after the couple told her they wanted to get married but weren’t sure they could afford it.

She said: “I’ve known Gill and Lee since I started working here five years ago.

“They’re lovely – I adore them both – and it’s wonderful we’ve been able to help them.”

Mr Carter also paid tribute to the staff with his wedding speech.

The 42-year-old said: “They have worked so hard for us and made our wedding day one to cherish for the rest of our lives.

“We love the café because of the lovely staff that always have a smile on their faces.”