The couple from Knaresborough chose to get married in Betws-y-coed because they have been bringing their touring caravan to stay at the five star Riverside Touring Park in the heart of the village for eight years and love the area.
Following their wedding ceremony and reception for 31 close family members at the Royal Oak Hotel in the village, Pam and Mark opted to spend a week in their caravan complete with wedding flowers, Bollinger champagne and barbeques in the fantastic Easter sunshine.
“It was an absolutely fantastic wedding and honeymoon,” said Pam. “The weather was out of this world for the time of year. Everything exceeded our expectations and I wouldn’t change a thing if we did it all again.
“We know how changeable the weather can be at Betws, so we had planned our wedding for a nice day but had also prepared for rain. In the event, we enjoyed a picnic in the mountains near Capel Curig and transported the guests in a vintage bus.
“When we spent our honeymoon in the caravan, Mark insisted on carrying me over the threshold into the awning and we took a piece of wedding cake for the park managers who were so accommodating.
“Riverside is a beautiful park and we love visiting three or four times a year in our caravan. It’s ideal for us as the park is right in the middle of the village and we can leave the car there and go walking on the many lovely local walks.”
Pam explained that she and Mark first started dating at school 40 years ago but they broke up when Mark stood her up to go to a Rotherham United football match. The couple, who have six children between them from their first marriages, met up again through the Friends Reunited internet site in 2008 and love blossomed.
“Married life is fabulous,” said Pam. “It really does make a difference because it’s confirmation that we are both in this relationship for the long haul and has brought us even closer together.”
Pam, 55, who is a civil servant and Mark, 54, a policeman, are members of The Caravan Club and thoroughly recommend a caravan honeymoon. “Doing what we did was perfect for us,” said Pam. “Everything about the wedding was personal to us and our specially made wedding cake even had our caravan and Riverside on it.”
Riverside Touring Park’s assistant manager Beverley Peebles said: “It was lovely that Pam and Mark chose to spend their honeymoon on the park and we are delighted that they thoroughly enjoyed their stay.”
The luxury caravan park, which is a prestigious affiliated site of The Caravan Club, has 60 pitches for touring caravans and 65 holiday homes, which are much sought after by visitors wishing to enjoy vacations right in the heart of Snowdonia.
The park, which is owned by Shrewsbury-based Morris Leisure, provide
