By HELEN TURNBULL FOR MAILONLINE
They have been best friends for over three decades, so it was only natural that Declan Donnelly had Ant McPartlin by his side on his big day.
The TV duo arrived at the St. Michael's Church in Newcastle on Saturday afternoon ahead of his marriage to his longtime agent Ali Astall.
The beaming groom couldn't hide his glee as he whizzed up to St. Michael's Church in his hometown in a supercar from his own personal fleet.
Ecstatic: They have been best friends for over three decades, so it was only natural that Declan Donnelly had Ant McPartlin by his side on his big day
Blushing bride: Ali Astall followed soon after Declan and looked stunning in a classic ivory silk gown by designer Phillipa Lepley with a veil flowing from her perfectly coiffed locks
However, the real showstealer was bride Ali, who stunned the crowds waiting outside in a classic ivory silk gown with a veil flowing from her perfectly coiffed locks.
The blonde looked ecstatic as she made her way up the church's stone steps with the help of an assistant, who ensured the train of her custom-made dress was in place.
Just before her arrival, her husband-to-be had been in showman mode, waving and greeting locals and fans who had lined up outside the church to see him arrive.
Dec and Ant weren't the only star attractions to descend on Newcastle for the Geordie royal wedding of course.
Showstopper: Despite her husband's fame, Ali was the real showstealer on her big day, stunning the crowd with her demure appearance
Blooming lovely: The bride - who has been Dec's agent for a decade - looked the epitome of elegance as she turned to smile for well-wishers before heading through the flower-strewn doorway
Classic: Ali had chosen a high front dress which scooped down at the back, while she wore her hair in an elegant updo, with a long veil attached at the back. The dress was by the same designer behind Guy Ritchie's wife Jacqui's wedding gown this week
Big day: The duo were in their usual playful mood as they arrived at St Michael's Church dressed in matching blue suits
Stylish arrival: The pair were driven to the church by Ant in a supercar from the groom's private collection
Smartening up his act: Dec, always a fan of a tailored suit, looked especially dapper on his big day, wearing a similar blue suit to his groomsmen along with a grey waistcoat and navy polka dot tie
Always a showman: Dec and Ant couldn't resist playing up to the crowd, taking time to wander among the throng of fans who had gathered outside the church and personally greet them
Just moments before the presenter's flash arrival, the likes of Holly Willoughby, Tess Daly and husband Vernon Kay, Phillip Schofield, Paddy McGuiness and comic Leigh Francis - best known as alter-ego Keith Lemon - all turned out in their finery.
Earlier in the day, the beloved TV presenter - one half of Ant & Dec - took to the duo's Twitter account to joke: 'Morning! I know I've got somewhere to be today but I can't for the life of me remember where...'
The 39-year-old Geordie will marry his partner and agent in a local ceremony held in his hometown of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
The couple will exchange vows at St. Michael's Church in the centre of the city and his older brother - Father Dermott Donnelly - will oversee the proceedings and is said to have carefully selected suitable hymns and prayers.
Dec's long-standing presenting partner Anthony McPartlin will act as his best man, returning the favour for his 2006 wedding to Lisa Armstrong, and is expected to deliver an 'hilarious speech'.
Big names in town: Married TV couple Vernon Kay and Tess Daly chatted with guests outside of the church, while the Family Fortunes host also gave onlookers a wave
Star attractions: Tess stunned in a long purple dress and trimmed hat while Holly Willoughby looked effortlessly chic as she arrived wearing a pleated floral dress and net fascinator
Time to shine: Dec's ushers, who include TV star Jonathon Wilkes (L), were seen laughing together as they pulled up at the churc
TV legend: Phillip Schofield was among the starry congregation, looking dapper in a linen suit as he snapped the groom arriving
Just friends: Former Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts, who enjoyed a fling with Dec after appearing on I'm A Celeb... in 2012, looked sensational in a pleated patterned skirt with edgy biker jacket
Here come the boys: Dermot O'Leary and Leigh Francis - who had left his alter-ego Keith Lemon at home - were all smiles as they headed in to watch the vows
Keeping it in the family: The TV presenter's older brother - Father Dermott Donnelly - will officiate his and Ali's marriage and has carefully selected the hymns and prayers
Dec's close friends and ITV's presenting elite are expected to witness the couple tie the knot with This Morning duo Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby as well as Tess Daly, Vernon Kay, Fearne Cotton, Leigh Francis (Keith Lemon) and Paddy McGuinness included on the confirmed guest list.
One of Dec's exes - former Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts who enjoyed a brief fling with him in 2013 - has confirmed her attendance.
She said: 'I'm going this weekend. I'm happy for him and Ali. They're great. He's such a good friend of mine. I want him to be happy.'
Hello there! Father Dermot waved at onlookers as he was among the first to arrive at the stunning church on Saturday afternoon
Eager beavers: Fans of Declan have gathered outside of the church hoping to catch a glimpse of the TV presenter and his blushing bride
Simon Cowell - who is the groom's Britain's Got Talent boss - is unable to make it but has sent him his best wishes.
'I don't know if I can go but I've been invited. I'm very happy for him,' he said.
A friend of the couple told The Sun: 'It’s a lovely group of people who have been close to Dec and Ali for years. It felt right for him to go back to Newcastle because Dec is such a proud Geordie.
'The fact that he’s waited so long to marry shows how serious he is about marriage vows, but he has absolutely no doubts that Ali is The One.'
Boys in blue: The ushers all looked dapper in royal blue suits, complete with a white rose boutonnière
Excited: The groom started his wedding day in a playful mood and took to Twitterto share his excitement with fans ahead of the nuptials
'I want him to be happy': Former Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts - who enjoyed a brief fling with the lovable Geordie in 2013 - has confirmed her attendance
'The One': Dec has been dating Ali since 2013 and the pair became engaged on November 13 2014
The modest ceremony will also be attended by the pair's close friends and family and Dec is expected to dedicate a heartfelt tribute to his late father Alphonsus who died in 2011, aged, 78, after losing his battle with cancer.
He will be sorely missed from his son's big day and Dec has previously admitted that having his father watch him tie the knot was something he'd always wished for.
'There is always someone you are going to miss and for me it's my dad. I always hoped he would see me marry, but these things happen, I know he's proud of me,' he said earlier in the year.
The big day comes nine months after Dec proposed to Ali on November 13 2014 in Australia - ahead of the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! series, just a year after confirming their relationship.
At the time, he told the Mirror: 'There was no special reason to propose in Australia. It just seemed the right time. So yeah, I just did it. It's so nice. I’ve had an amazing year.'
'She is the one I'm going to marry': Dec is said to have told friends he wanted to make his long-standing manager Ali his wife shortly after confirming their relationship in 2013
Ali has worked as Ant and Dec's manager for over ten years but it wasn't until 2013 that they confirmed their romantic involvement with one another.
'She's the one I’m going to marry,' the former Byker Grove child star is said to have told friends at the time.
They first enjoyed a short-lived romance in 2006 and they maintained a close friendship throughout Dec's two-year relationship with Sky Sports presenter Georgie Thompson which ended in 2011.
Prior to that, Dec was with actress Claire Buckland for 11 years and the couple split in 2003.
Returning the favour: Anthony McPartlin (left) will be Dec's best man as he was in at his wedding to Lisa Armstrong (second left) in 2006
Perfect wedding and all of them seems to be quite excited. If you want to make the big day memorable. Surely go for wedding venues NYC and their pretty locations. Can book according to the choice and budget. All the suggestions for decorations and catering are also provided.
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