A COUPLE plan to elope and say ‘I do’ at a secret, secluded countryside venue in Knutsford.

Childhood sweethearts Kathryn Mavir and Alan Gillies have everything organised to exchange their vows in a private tailor-made ceremony.

The pair will have the exclusive use of a luxury lodge set in ancient woodland when they tie the knot on Wednesday, August 9.

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Knutsford Guardian: Childhood sweethearts Alan Gillies and Kathryn MavirChildhood sweethearts Alan Gillies and Kathryn Mavir (Image: Public)

All they need now is a simple brunch to celebrate their wedding but, despite appealing on social media, they can’t find a caterer.

Kathryn, 45, said: “We decided that there was just going to be the two of us.

“We wanted it to be about us, not everyone else.

“Most catering companies have minimum numbers of eight to 10.

“We’re struggling to find something for just two.

“After we’ve got married and had all the pictures, we just want to come back to the lodge and have something a little bit special set up for us.

“We don’t want a sit-down meal. We’re open to suggestions, perhaps a mix of savoury and sweet, like a grazing platter.

The couple first met at school when they were 13 and dated as teenagers.

“We went out with each other when I was 17 and Alan was 19 but we parted ways,” said Kathryn.

“We both got married. Now, 25 years later we are both divorced.”

The pair found themselves single again a few years ago after being separated from their previous spouses.

Kathryn said: “We’ve been together now for nearly three years, went full circle and found each other again.”

Kathryn, who works in admin, and mechanic Alan, a workshop manager, met up again by chance.

“It’s almost like time stood still,” she said.

“We’ve just completely picked up where we left off but we are different people.

“We’re just best friends.”

Venue hosts will be witnesses as the couple exchange vows in front of a registrar from Cheshire East Council.

Kathryn said: “We’ve both been married before and done the massive wedding, planning everything to the nth degree.

“Now, we’re a bit older, we wanted a marriage not a wedding.

“We’re trying to remember what is important and make it quite a personal thing.

“It is an event. There might just be two of us but we wanted something special set up and waiting for us.

“The whole day is going to be intimate, just about the two of us.

“We are having a couple of nods to tradition.

“My dress is a secret and I am having flowers. My hair and make-up is sorted.”

The couple, from Ramsbottom in Lancashire, have invited close family and friends to a ‘happily ever after party’ in a pub three days later.

Any caterers who wish to help the couple can contact Kathryn Mavir on Facebook or email gillieswedding@outlook.com