The 'love at first sight' story of the lucky couple…

The 'love at first sight' story of the lucky couple who've won The Chronicle's £10,000 Win A Wedding prize

It was "love at fist sight" the first moment Craig Wilson saw Kirstin Clark.

The couple had been together for eight years before Craig plucked up the courage to propose, but he says he knew early on that she was the one he wanted to spend his life with.

Now, the loved-up pair will get to celebrate their love in style after scooping the grand prize in our annual Win A Wedding competition, claiming a package worth over £10,000 for their dream day at the luxurious Grand Hotel, Gosforth Park.

A total of 136 couples entered, submitting a huge 2,510,163 tokens for their chance at the prize.

When Craig and Kirstin, from Killingworth, found out they had collected the most tokens, the couple say they were "shocked" and still haven't quite taken it in.

Craig, 30, said: "It will be excellent - to be honest, it's really cheered us up, and not just us, our family, even our neighbours were excited for us."

"It's so exciting," Kirstin, 31, added.

The couple say they are "best friends" (Newcastle Chronicle)

"We're both quite tired out now because we've been so excited since we got the phone call."

The pair, who are both accountants, haven't yet started to plan any of the details of their big day, though Kirstin is especially excited about her dress, which, she says, must come with pockets.

But they both agree on the most important aspect of the celebration - especially after a year that has been defined by lockdown.

"It's all about just having family and friends there, the people who we've not seen for a long time," Craig said.

Craig, who popped the question on a trip to Disney Land Paris for Kirstin's 30th birthday, says he knew she was the one the first time they met, on a friend's birthday night out in Flares.

He said: "It was just love at first sight. I love the way she looks, everything about her. We are like best friends. We don't argue, if we ever do it's over within a couple of hours.

"Nothing really bothers us and it's just easy and comfortable, we get on with each other so well."

For Kirstin, it's their shared sarcastic sense of humour, as well as how supportive Craig has been over the years, that makes her love him.

She said: "My family loves him, I love him - my cat loves him. We are just like two peas in a pod."

Kirstin and Craig will enjoy the perfect wedding day thanks to:

VENUE - The Grand Hotel, Gosforth Park.

DRESS - Mia Sposa, Newcastle

EVENT DRESSERS - Aura Events & The North East Balloon Fairy -

CAKE - Mrs BouCake

FORMAL SUITHIRE - Smart As Suit Hire

RINGS - Dytham Jewellery Designers

MOTHER OF THE BRIDE - Marianne Fashion, Cleadon

STATIONERY - Helen Scott Design