Tomorrow will be extra special for one Shropshire woman – when she marks Valentine’s Day by marrying the love of her life.

Zoe Harper will wed fiance David Carthey, 49, both of Malinslee, Telford, at the Wroxeter Hotel, near Shrewsbury.

The couple met five years ago after they were introduced to each other by David’s sister and were friends before getting engaged on Zoe’s birthday in August 2007.

She said it was her idea to get married on February 14, as a unique way to mark Valentine’s Day.

The 34-year-old said: “I wanted to do it in September, but we didn’t have the money.

“We really wanted to get married at the Wroxeter Hotel and it just happened to be free on Valentine’s Day. It was my idea.”

The day is due to take on a chocolate theme with chocolate brown and cream bridesmaids.

Zoe will also have two flower girls, two page boys and will be given away by her 16-year-old son Joshua.

Hannah Hall, hotel manager, said she was excited about the wedding, which will be the second civil ceremony held at the venue since it started hosting civil ceremonies in September last year.

She said: “We are really pleased to be hosting their wedding. Weddings are always romantic, but this will be doubly so with it being Valentine’s Day.

“There’s been a lot of preparation gone into this one, as it’s the first wedding we are holding in our Eyton suite. It has been modified to be able to hold the ceremony, so it’s another milestone for us in our plans to develop the hotel.”

By Rebecca Lawrence and Rhea Parsons