Couple Fran Halliday and Mark Wool were one of the very first in Leeds to tie the knot after the lifting of coronavirus restrictions on weddings.
Last weekend, following a two-year engagement and a whole load of uncertainty due to covid, the pair were over the moon to get the go-ahead for their dream wedding.
With their daughter, Mila, acting as a flower girl and their son, Dex, involved as a page boy and ring bearer, they were surrounded by all of their loved ones as Fran walked down the aisle on Saturday, 24 July at New Craven Hall.
We spoke to them ahead of their special day to ask what they were most looking forward to, following the relaxation of rules around social distancing and large gatherings.
"Even though we were looking forward to it so much anyway, for it to fall on the first weekend of no restrictions and it being the first opportunity for all our friends and family to be together for a party and let loose just adds a bit of something extra special," the pair told us when we chatted last week.
But they also confided that they had had some concerns in the lead up to their big day that things could potentially all change again, as is only natural following a year where everything's been turned on its head.
"The closer it's got, there has been an element of thought about it not happening but we had committed to it and knew that we’d get married regardless, even if it was a small ceremony followed by a big party next year instead," the pair told us.
"I was pretty confident it was going to go ahead but the additional four weeks of lifting restrictions certainly added a bit of extra suspense for us, nothing like cutting it fine, eh??!!" joked Mark light-heartedly
They might've been cutting it fine, but that also meant that they got to make history in having one of the first restriction-free weddings in Leeds pos-covid.
It was a momentous occasion for the pair, who first met whilst working together over in Headingley for hospitality group Arc Inspirations working in bars like Banyan, Manahatta, and BOX.
Following a proposal on Mother's Day in 2019, they had a two-year engagement in the lead-up to their wedding.
"We booked the venue in June 2020, and we were very fortunate as we were the first viewing after lockdown so managed to get a good weekend in July, said Mark.
"We’ve had a lot of friends that were rescheduling at the beginning of this year, some to next year and some pushed back further to 2023 but we committed to the date we set and hoped for the best."
That commitment clearly paid off, and on Saturday 24 July the couple was completely overjoyed to be able to celebrate together with all of their loved ones under one roof.
Asked what they were most looking forward to ahead of their special day, they told us laughingly: "Other than the obvious of the actual getting married part, the fillet steak we’re having for the wedding breakfast."
"But, honestly, for me," added Mark, "it’s a few things; having our kids there enjoy it with us and be a part of it would be one, another would be the amazing band, Rebel Sounds, that we’ve got throughout the day and lastly, just being able to get together with so many friends and family for the first time in so long, not worrying about what you can & cannot do just tees it up to be a really enjoyable day."
For couples like Mark and Fran for whom the return to normal weddings has been a long time coming, it looks set to be a gorgeous summer of love as partners across the city finally get their opportunity to gather with their loved ones and celebrate together.
Long may it last.
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Get Baked’s viral ‘Bertha’ cake has a sister on the way – and she sounds just as cheeky
She's big, she's green and she's ready to ruin your figure.
A lot of you will have seen the viral ‘Bertha’ cake by Leeds born beloved sweet treat specialists Get Baked.
They recently opened another site in Manchester's Northern Quarter, where queues literally formed round the block of hungry punters wanting to get their hands on the infamous sugary treats.
And now it's going to happen all over again, as they've recently unveiled their newest flavour which is sure to go down a storm.
We’ll give you a hint: it’s a current food and drink trend that’s about as big as Bertha herself – it’s not matcha, it’s not hot honey (duh), and it’s not Guinness…
Images: Get Baked
Yes—scratch that; HELL YES!Get Baked is set to welcome Bertha’s equally beautiful twin sister, and she’s officially a pistachio girlie.
Having started out life simply as ‘Bruce’, after taking inspiration from the iconic scene from Matilda, this thing has become a phenomenon in its own right, and who doesn’t like more flavours of a good thing?
Probably one of the biggest foodie crazes going at the minute, thanks to the popularity of pistachio cream, cookies, lattes and the similar social media sensation that is the ‘Dubai Pistachio Bar' people are rather fittingly going nuts for this particular flavour of almost absolutely anything.
With that in mind, the Leeds-born bakery and dessert shop – founded by Rich Myers over in Headingley back in 2011 – have shown no hesitation in hopping on the bandwagon and creating a new twist on their own viral menu item.
Teasing the full details in a post on their Instagram this week, they wrote: “What’s big, green, and is going to destroy your life in a couple of weeks’ time? Pistachio Bertha. Strictly limited to 5,000 slices. Coming oh so soon. GB.”
In case you were wondering just how mad those with a sweet tooth could possibly go for a slice of cake, just look at the recent queues when they finally launched in Manchester city centre:
Speaking on the grand opening here on our turf and his partner Amy’s hometown, Myers said simply: “Manchester, what a launch. Thanks for much for the warm welcome. Stay baked.”
Leeds Tattoo Expo to return to the First Direct Arena for 10th anniversary
Clementine Hall
The tenth annual Leeds Tattoo Expo will showcase some of the best in tattooing both local and internationally.
If you fancy getting yourself a fancy new bit of ink, then look no further than the iconic Leeds Tattoo Expo that will be returning to the First Direct Arena this June.
Taking place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June 2025, over 200 tattooists and 70 traders will be flocking to the city to show off their skills.
And not only that, but there’ll also be a whole host of market traders for you to browse as well as live music to have a boogie to.
The artists will be tattooing with options for both pre-booked appointments and walk ups available throughout the weekend.
Image: Leeds Tattoo Expo
There will also be a piercer, tooth gems and a henna artist ready to adorn your body.
Alongside getting tattooed, there’s plenty to do and to see over the whole weekend; there'll be an alternative drawing class, an illustrators market with kids’ workshops provided by Art Gecko, an art fusion event on the main stage, burlesque performances and competitions, a small vintage clothing pop-up, fire breathing and break dancing demonstrations in the square outside the arena.
The annual tattoo competitions will also be taking place each evening, where tattooists showcase their work to a panel of judges, sponsored by Killer Ink!
To celebrate Leeds Tattoo Expo's tenth anniversary, they'll be hosting a Pre-Party at Belgrave Music Hall on Thursday 5 June which is a completely free entry event complete with live music and free pizza.
You can find out more about the event and book your tickets here via the First Direct Arena's website.
Georgina Pellant -
30th July 2021 
