PAUL Gascoigne took on the most important match of his life yesterday when he married long time girlfriend Sheryl Failes.
In a lavish celebration at an exclusive country house hotel near the couple's Hertfordshire home, Gazza and Sheryl exchanged vows before a congregation that included England's Euro 96 squad and former England boss Terry Venables.
No expense was spared for the £100,000 ceremony. Gascoigne booked up every room in the 96 room Haabury Manor Hotel, Thundridge, at an estimated cost of £15,000, to prevent gatecrashers.
A journalist from Hello! magazine attended the wedding. The magazine was understood to have paid around £150,000 for an invitation.
Divorcee Sheryl (31) made a big entrance by sweeping down the hotel's oak Grand Staircase from the minstrels' gallery into the main hall in a stunning pale pink tulle wedding dress with hand beaded French lace and salmon coloured netting by designer Isabelle Kristensen.
Gascoigne (29) arrived sipping champagne in the back seat of a 25 foot white Cadillac stretch limousine, and wore a gold brocade frock coat by top Piccadilly outfitters Favourbrooks.
Security was tight at the hotel, with groups of burly guards clutching walkie talkies at every entrance to the 200 acre estate and more bodyguards ushering Gazza from his limousine to the hotel.
Paul and Sheryl each picked their favourite romantic songs for D J Chris Evans to play on their big day. Sheryl's choice was classic Righteous Brothers weepie Unchained Melody, while Gazza picked Van Morrison's emotional declaration of love, Have I Told You Lately That I Loved You.
Sheryl's children from her previous marriage, Bianca (nine) and Mason (six) were bridesmaid and pageboy, and Gazza's brother Carl (28) was best man.
The couple had asked if they could marry in the building's old chapel, which was once a convent but is now a banqueting hall. But their wish had to be denied because marriage law forbids a civic wedding in a deconsecrated former place of worship.
Among the guests were David Seaman, Steve McManaman and Jamie Redknapp.
