GROOM James Bishop had a surprise for his new wife when he revealed his tireless campaign to get their favourite band to play at their wedding.

The Abingdon man sent US band Hanson, top inset, 461 daily video pleas on YouTube in a bid to get them to play at Saturday’s wedding at the Milton Hill House Hotel in Steventon.

Mr Bishop, 26, managed to keep the secret from bride Jennie Bishop (nee Tripp), pictured, despite the story appearing in the Oxford Mail earlier this year.

His persistence paid off as the band – famous for 1999 hit MMMBop – sent a personal message to him in May.

They explained they couldn’t make the wedding but said they would pay for the couple, inset below, to see them perform in Jamaica on an all-expenses-paid honeymoon in January.

All was revealed after the ceremony when the bride was shown a video compilation of the Hanson At My Wedding campaign along with the band’s offer at the end.

  • Watch Hanson's message to bride Jennie Bishop

Mrs Bishop, 26, said: “It was just unbelievable.

“It was amazing. I was completely overwhelmed. It was the best feeling ever. I couldn’t have asked for a better present from him.”

“I feel like a bit of an idiot because the whole world seemed to know about it apart from me.”

Mr Bishop said: “It was completely worth it in the end. All the work and all the effort was worth it for that moment.”

The band, made up of brothers Isaac, Taylor and Zac, told the Oxford Mail: “The pure dedication of the Hanson at my Wedding campaign was something rare even among our fan community, who have set a high bar for conviction over the last 15 years.”

The couple even had their first dance to the Hanson song I Will Come to You.

Mr Bishop was helped out in his quest by pal Chris Douch, 26, from Wantage.