He Proposed To Her At My Wedding

Bride Jackie Longman, 34, shared her big day with her twin sister.

- Mishaal Khan And Alice Mcintyre

All eyes were on me and my husband Phill, 33, as we walked hand in hand across the garden of blossoming flowers, towards the beautiful lake. As we got to the bridge, my hair blew in the breeze along with my ivory veil and floor-length, lacy gown.

‘You look stunning,’ Phill whispered, as the photographer snapped away at us. It was 27 August 2017, our wedding day, and I don’t think I’d ever felt happier than in that moment, when I stood with my new husband while we had our photos taken. But while we revelled in happiness, our guests’ attention was turned to something else – another couple standing a few feet away. It was my identical twinGemma and her partner – and he was getting down on one knee...

Phill and I had been together five years when he proposed in October 2015 after taking me away for the weekend. And Gemma was one of the first people I told. ‘I’m so happy for you,’ she said. We had been inseparable growing up, doing everything together. While some twins are opposites, Gemma and I were the same in every way. We were both well-organised and liked to have things just so. During our teens, we consoled each other during break-ups and celebrated each other’s successes. We remained best friends in adulthood, too. While Gemma managed a housing association and I began a career in nursing, we always made time for each other, talking on the phone every night and having lunch at weekends.

Preparations

When Phill and I got engaged, it seemed only right that the role of maid of honour was filled by my sister and best friend.

‘I can’t say I do without you,’ I told her, to which she jumped around with tears of joy.