Surprise wedding for Chloe and Mike

Chloe van den Bussche and Mike Veevers had no idea when they opened their front door early on Tuesday morning that a film crew would be standing there with presenter Andy Peters.

They were stunned to be told they would be married that same day and then swept off to the Cooden Beach Hotel for the ceremony hours later.

They tied the knot during the afternoon in front of a small gathering of 24 friends and family already in on the secret.

Chloe was given away by brother James, while Mike's sister Sarah Fuller was his best woman, and their sisters Anastasia Bray and Paris van den Bussche were bridesmaids. Mike's brother Martin was also there, as well as close family members from all over the country.

The couple then had the surprise of a champagne wedding breakfast followed by a party and a night in the bridal suite - all courtesy of Cooden Beach Hotel owner James Kimber.

The evening was every bit as special - Mike's brother Simon who serves with 12th Regiment Royal Artillery was filmed at his barracks as he prepares to go out to Afghanistan in April.

It was an emotional moment for everyone but even more so when Simon arrived in person to take part in the celebration.

Chloe and Mike then took to the floor for their first dance and were serenaded by former Blue singer Lee Ryan who then performed a special set for the bridal party.

"It was amazing," said Mike afterwards.

"You dream of a wedding and you think about how you would want it, and what you would do, and then to have all this done for you is incredible. To think of all they have done and the amount that everybody put into it for myself and Chloe is amazing - we feel so privileged."

Chloe and Mike were already living together but had cancelled their wedding because they realised they couldn't afford that as well as their mortgage. They lost 1,000 in the process and Chloe was so fed up she emailed Noel's HQ about the cancelled wedding.

Chloe, 22, is training to be a teacher at Sussex Downs while Steve, 24, is a chef now working at the New Inn at Winchelsea.

Mike said: "We couldn't afford the wedding and a mortgage at the same time so we had to made a decision and unfortunately the mortage was the priority and the wedding had to be postponed. We lost money because we had bought the dress and booked the wedding so there were cancellation fees because we had organised the hotel too, and lost that fee."

Chloe added: "It was really sad and then I saw the programme when they asked if anyone had got any problems so that is why we emailed. I was not expecting anything - i just wanted to moan, and get it off my chest."

Noel's HQ contacted the Cooden Beach Hotel to ask for support and found it in James Kimber who agreed to pay for the wedding, the breakfast and the evening party, and his general manager Jenny Undasan who took care of organisation. Local businesses also contributed - photographer John Firth, Adey's The Party People who provided a disco and chocolate fountain, Carroll's who supplied flowers, and UR Big Day which did chair covers.

Mike commented: "Everything was perfect. We really appreciate the level of experience and professionalism."

They thanked Noel's HQ, Mr Kimber and chef Paul Fermore as well as staff member Felix Urdials.