Manchester United's Harry Maguire arrives in France for fairy tale wedding with childhood sweetheart

Manchester United and England star Harry Maguire has arrived in France to wed his childhood sweetheart Fern Hawkins in a lavish ceremony today.

Maguire, United's captain, is laying on the no-expense-spared do at the Chateau de Varennes in the south of France - which has been voted one of the top 10 wedding venues in the world, reports The Mirror .

The couple had a low-key registry office ceremony in Crewe last month to provide a UK marriage certificate. However, the French chateau will be the perfect wedding venue for mum-of-two Fern, who celebrated her arrival in France with her bridesmaids - including England keeper Jordan Pickford's wife - on Thursday night.

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It is believed Harry, 29, has paid more than quarter of a million pounds to ensure an unforgettable day for his family, friends in a ceremony with around 30 guests. The stunning property in Burgundy has its own chapel, extensive grounds and was voted in the top 10 wedding venues of the world by broadcaster CNN.

Fern's bridesmaids Megan Davison, 26, and Harry's sister Daisy, 21, also joined her for her hen night during a break in Marbella. The happy couple sent out invitations in pink and white boxes with "a fancy bow" on top. The bridesmaids' dresses will be in ivory, rose, pink, and purple and Daisy is the maid of honour.

The men in the wedding party had a kickaround in the lavish grounds of the chateau shortly after they jetted by private jet, arriving at nearby Dijon airport at around 1.30pm local time on Thursday. They then travelled around an hour to the chateau - where screens have been put in place around the grounds - before enjoying a family get together on Thursday