As a three-year-old toddler, she was mesmerised by the elegant, brightly-coloured saris actresses wore on an Asian soap.

So when it came to planning her big day, the city supply teacher had no doubts about what she would be wearing.

When she tied the knot with Alex Nolan on Saturday, Dawn was draped in a deep, wine-red authentic sari woven with gold-coloured thread and studded with sequins – despite neither of them having an Asian background.

But she said the theme perfectly suited her personality and fulfilled a childhood wish.

Miss Williams (31), from Sunnymead, Werrington, Peterborough, said she fell for the exotic Eastern designs at first sight. She said: "My obsession started when I was three. There was this Asian soap called Mahabharat on a Sunday and I loved it.

"I used to try and dress up in a length of fabric – I thought it looked so beautiful.

"I have never been too keen on a big white dress and when we decided to get married, I thought a sparkly and colourful sari would be perfect and would suit me down to the ground. Alex wanted something unusual, too.

"We were thinking of different themes, such as pirates, but we only had six months to plan it. He is more than happy with this theme."

While his bride modelled the beautiful red garment – ordered from an Indian website – for the ceremony at Peterborough Registry Office, Thorpe Road on Saturday, Mr Nolan (26), a claims administrator, also looked the part.

He wore a vibrant orange sherwani outfit he picked up during a shopping trip to Leicester.

Friends and family also got in on the act, with mother of the bride-to-be sporting a stylish plum shalwar kameez.

Mrs Williams (59) said: "We've always admired the beautiful fabrics of the Asian culture and Dawn decided that was what she would like to be married in."

The three bridesmaids also wore saris. Dawn's sister Karen was one of the bridesmaids and her three-year old nephew, Phoenix was a page boy, dressed in a mini shalwar kameez.

Her seven-year-old niece Mia was a flower girl, wearing a top and skirt outfit.

There was traditional Indian food such as pakora and curry, and they danced to bhangra music at the reception at Peterborough Rugby Club, in Fengate