Couple who posed as newlyweds for hotel wedding brochure to marry for real

What the onlookers didn't realise was the happy couple were virtual strangers who would be appearing in a catalogue advertising the venue for wedding receptions.

Three years on, however, they are getting married for real after falling for each other at the glamorous photo shoot.

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The happy couple in the wedding brochure they posed for three years ago

And, naturally, they will be returning to the De Vere Dunston Hall hotel, near Norwich, for their own reception on Friday.

"I can't believe we are getting married after pretending to be a newly-wed couple. Everyone tells us how bizarre it is, the way we got together,' said recruitment consultant Miss Semmence, 32.

"I remember everyone who saw us was congratulating us because they thought we had really got married. In the end we gave up trying to explain and just played along with it.

"I recall thinking when I saw Kieron all dressed up how handsome he looked but I would never have thought we would be where we are now.

"It is a fantastic story of true love and we're both totally thrilled and delighted."

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Sales manager Mr Dudley, 28, added: "I would never have thought when I took part in the photo shoot that I'd actually marry Amanda.

"But looking at her that day she was stunning and I knew I definitely wanted to get to know her better.

"I know she will look just as beautiful when we marry for real."

The couple were thrown together in September 2004 after the hotel's general manager decided they made the perfect couple for the brochure's front cover.

Although Miss Semmence was Dunston Hall's wedding co-ordinator at the time and the 'groom' was its conference and banquet manager, both knew each other only in passing at the 166-room four star hotel.

They became close friends afterwards but it wasn't until Miss Semmence left for a new job in October 2005 - followed two months later by Mr Dudley - that romance blossomed.

"I knew I liked Kieron but I was a little worried about going out with him as we both worked together and it was awkward," said Miss Semmence.

"After we changed jobs we started going out for meals together and it went on from there."

The couple moved in together in Norwich in February last year and became engaged a month later.

They will wed in front of friends and family at Norwich Assembly House before moving on to the reception at their old work place.

"It will be a fitting tribute to the place that first brought us together," Miss Semmence added.

"Everyone who knows us thinks it is such a lovely story."

Hotel general manager Denis McEvoy said: "I am delighted to have the opportunity to host Kieron and Amanda's wedding, especially as they both met here while working as part of the management staff.

"We could only have dreamed about such a happy ending."