Editors note: This article was first published on the BBC news website on April 14th, 2004 covering the first ever couple to meet and get married as a result of an Original Dating speed dating event.
A Hereford man is to march down the aisle after a three-minute performance that led to a lasting romance. Mario Bassi is one of the first people in the UK to get engaged after meeting his other half at a speed dating event.
The system works by bringing together a group of singles who have just three minutes to impress one another before moving on to the next potential date.
Mr Bassi is to marry his fiancée Caroline later this year after meeting her at a session in London.
He said he impressed her by reciting poetry, claiming to make the world's best lasagne and drawing pictures of his sporting injuries on a napkin.
Their relationship blossomed once the pair met for a series of dates after their brief first encounter.
Mr Bassi, whose family still live in Hereford, plans to marry in August at St Francis Xavier's church in the city.