THE sun smiled on Elaine Simons and Wayne Stephen Ballard on their wedding day, as it was one of the hottest May days for many years.

The couple married on May 27 after they met at a '70s disco at the Watford Coliseum in 1996.

Elaine, 34, who is a project office administrator, wore a white dress embroidered with pearls on the top half and a three-layered bottom half with organza and rose details. Her bouquet was made up of white and cream roses anchored by ferns.

The groom, who is also 34, works for JVC and is the son of Alan and Elizabeth Ballard of James Close, Hazlemere.

The bride was given away by her father, Michael Simons, while mum Valerie looked on. The ceremony, officiated by Julie Young, took place in the grounds of Trunkwell Mansion House in Reading.

Elaine was assisted by chief bridesmaid and friend of 31 years, Lisa Bloomfield, and four other bridesmaids including the groom's sister, Zara Ballard, who travelled from her home in Melbourne, Australia, for the wedding.

Nicole and Louise Simons, Elaine's nieces, and Rosie Narden, daughter of the bride's first cousin, also carried out bridesmaid duties.

David Langridge, friend of the groom since they were six-years-old, was best man.

After the ceremony, 130 guests joined the happy couple at the reception, which also took place at Trunkwell Mansion, for a barbecue and disco before the couple left for their honeymoon in the Maldives.