A groom surprised his bride by playing the saxophone at their wedding after practicing for an entire year.

Craig Wilson, 42, stunned his bride Danielle Wilson, 47, on their big day with a saxophone solo of her favourite tune.

Craig had never learned an instrument before but when Danielle booked a saxophonist for their wedding a year earlier, he saw an opportunity.

He secretly contacted the saxophonist and took a few private lessons, then continued to practice weekly while Danielle was at work.

When the big day finally came, Craig pulled out a saxophone on the dance floor and performed This Girl by Cookin' on 3 Burners and Kungs.

Danielle, a saleswoman from Newcastle, said: "I was so surprised."

"It's really hard to put into words but it just showed me how far he would go to see me smile."

"It made me feel so special and got everyone on the dance floor!"

Danielle first met Craig nearly 20 years ago when he was working as a bouncer at a venue in Newcastle.

She used to go to the club just to see him but nothing came of it until 10 years later

when she spotted him on Tinder.

The pair met up and eventually settled down, before Craig popped the question in September 2020 during a night out bowling.

Danielle said: "I remember seeing him when I was out one night in Newcastle when I was just 18."

"I used to go to the spot he was a bouncer at all the time just to see him, but I never really made a move."

"We didn't start properly dating until 10 years later when I came across him on Tinder."

"We were on and off for a while, but eventually settled down."

"He proposed about five years ago when we were out bowling."

"I took a shot, turned round and he was down on one knee."

Craig came up with the idea after they booked a saxophonist for the wedding.

Soon after, he discreetly messaged the musician to arrange private lessons, explaining his plan to surprise Danielle.

Danielle said: "He decided on that song because it has always made me happy."

"It came out in 2016 and whenever it has come on the radio since, I start dancing and get in a really good mood."

"He always loves to see me getting into the music, so I think that's why he knew it had a special place in my heart."

Once the lessons were booked, Craig bought a second-hand saxophone for about £200 and got started.

He had just three lessons with the saxophonist, after which he was left to practice on his own.

Since Danielle often worked weekends, he used that time to practise at home, spending a few hours each week honing his performance.

Danielle said: "It's crazy to think about how much was going on looking back now."

"He kept the saxophone hidden in the garage and would practice in the house while I was working on weekends."

"He even had to go round to the neighbours and apologise for the noise, but luckily they weren't bothered."

"Apparently there were a few times he nearly got caught because I came home early."

"But I"

honestly had absolutely no clue."

The big day arrived and the saxophonist was scheduled to perform at 10 o'clock in the evening.

He began playing Danielle's favourite song then, to her surprise, Craig appeared with his own saxophone and joined in.

Danielle said: "I was taken aback at first."

"I feel bad, but at first I thought he was just miming it and having a laugh."

"But when our saxophonist stopped playing and he kept going, my face dropped."

"Steve, the saxophonist, came up and told me in my ear that he'd been learning for a year, and I couldn't believe it."

"I was enjoying myself, and the song, so much, but also so overwhelmed with emotions."