Sarah Waddington, 28, tried desperately to grab him after he slipped and fell from the balcony of their Spanish hotel.
But Steven Waddington, 35, fell six floors.
The couple, of Cooper Fold, Middleton, were honeymooning in Benalmadena, on the Costa del Sol, when the tragedy happened after a night out.
They were married six weeks ago in The Bower Hotel, Chadderton, after an 18-month engagement.
Sarah said: "I'm devastated. We were in love and I will never ever be able to get over this loss. Nobody could ever take away this pain. We don't deserve this, it's so unfair.
"Steven was so popular. I don't think he realised how popular he was. Everyone knew him. He just brought a ray of sunshine into all our lives. He would do anything for anyone and he was like a big brother to a lot of people. He's going to be missed by everyone."
The pair lived with adopted daughter Caragh, 14, and Sarah's little boy Harry, three.
The couple adopted Caragh after Sarah's aunt Colette - Caragh's mum - died of cancer in 2004. Caragh said of Steven: "He was the perfect father figure to me and Harry. I wouldn't have changed him for the world.
"I still can't believe he's gone and I never will. He will always be loved and missed by many - especially us."
Steven, a former Langley Primary and Queen Elizabeth High School pupil, was a talented boxer, training at Bob Shannon's gym in Openshaw.
Nicknamed The Whip, and known as 'Waddy' to his friends, he fought for Langley Spartans in his youth and boxed and worked for Danny Hornsby's KO Promotions.
Sarah, who works for Bury Primary Care Trust, was due to bring Steven's body back home yesterday . Tweet
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why is it always the good people who go before there time. it should be the toe rags we read about everyday in the papers...r.i.p steve
I Think the M.E.N should open a book of condolence in these tragic circumstances on the Family Notice page.
Rest in Peace Steve, God Bless Sarah.
Guten Tag - How does someone post such inconsiderate and irrelevent drivel on a matter that has nothing to do with him?
A tragic accident, Sarah you are in my thoughts and prayers at this sad time, lots of love to you and both your families x
What a terrible shame.
I knew Waddy and what a top lad he was, always smiling.
My heart goes out to sarah and her family, as sarah said he will be greatly missed.
R.I.P Waddy
What a terrible tragedy. A good man lost and his wife devastated.
I`ve never been abroad in my life but we seem to hear of a lot of falls from hotels in other countries. Are the balconies at these hotels too low?
Can`t something be done to force hotels to have safer balconies?
Deepest sympathy to Mrs waddington and her children.
Audenshaw mod, I simply asked a question as there is no answer in this story.
Such a sad story. RIP and my regards and thoughts to all family and friends.
We stayed at the Minerva on for 4 days last weekend. My husband went to reception to collect our keys and being able to speak Spanish asked what was going on as there was lots of police presence. The receptionist briefly told him there was an accident but didn't want to ellaborate as Sarah was sat afacing the reception area.
Our thoughts go out to Sarah and the family.
RIP Steven. Sarah I have never met you or Stevenbut so touched by such a tragic waste of life. Be strong it is more than obvious you and the children were his life and beyond.
Words are of little consolation. Ste was and will forever be a legend in his own right. Big loss to Middleton. R.I.P fella