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Our Marriage
Finding Inspiration in each other
After 10 years together, we at last tied the knot. We think we planned the perfect event for us, and if you - we hope you think so as well.
Our wedding day was intimate and private - shared with the people closest to us, our amazing children and our wonderful Mothers.
Our celebration evening was shared with all our incredible friends and family
Whatever part you played - you were very welcome, with our open hearts and arms.
Our Relationship
Twenty-Fourteen until the end of time
After 6 brilliant years, my original plan was a proposal on the Golden Gate bridge. We had booked our holiday of a lifetime for June 2020. Then along came COVID-19.
I wasn't prepared to let another day go passed. So as with all COVID related times - our engagement took place at home, in bed with a bag of haribo rings.... (although I could not get hold of the rings)... but had a real ring of course.
Our Wedding Weekend
The Mill Forge
Kirkpatrick Fleming
Lockerbie
Scotland
DG11 3BQ
Saturday, 2nd November 2024
14:30
Our wedding day will be intimate and private - shared with the people closest to us, our amazing children and our wonderful Mothers.
Gretna Green
(Click for directions)
The Story of Gretna Green
In 1754 Lord Hardwicke introduced an act Parliament which basically prevented anyone in England marrying under the age of 18 without their parent's approval. Nothing would stand in the way of young love, so when the brides and grooms learnt they could marry in Scotland provided they were over 16 they flocked to the nearest Scottish wedding venue, which more often than not was Gretna Green
In the early days the most important person in the village was the blacksmith and he also doubled as the local minister. Such was the volume of weddings taking place, he soon got tired of constantly having to change before conducting a wedding. Instead he took the couples into his workshop and performed a religious wedding ceremony over the anvil which is where the history of anvil weddings comes from
1857 brought another change to the law when Lord Brougham introduced a three week cooling off period. Couples must reside in the parish of Gretna Green for the three weeks and to fund their stay they usually worked on local farms for a minimal fee.
The next change to the law occurred in 1940 when all "irregular marriages" were stopped. However in 1994 the ministers once again started performing weddings outside of churches and in 2002 a change in Scottish law meant that registrars could perform a civil wedding ceremony at an approved venue. The first such wedding in Scotland took place at The Mill Forge near Gretna Green on the 6th of August 2002
The Mill Forge was not always a wedding ceremony venue. Originally built as a grain mill the farm buildings were built circa 1740 and the farmhouse was constructed in 1862. In 1988 the Smith family bought the premises as a disused farm and set about converting the farmhouse into a family home. The next stage was to demolish some of the outbuildings to build the first ensuite accommodation which opened in 1990.
Next came the conversion of the grain mill to form a restaurant and bar which opened in 1993. In 1996 demand for accommodation in the Gretna Green area prompted the opening of a further 15 rooms.
1997 saw the construction of the conservatory bar and and it was decided to build 3 more chalets and a wedding ceremony venue which opened in 1999.
making the journey to Scotland
our wedding party
Our Celebration
ORDER OF SERVICE
An evening banquet
to celebrate our marriage
When:
Saturday 21st December
2024
Venue:
Lichfield Guildhall
17:00
Drinks reception
18:00
A Celebration of Marriage
from Celebrant Jayne Price
18:45
we are delighted to welcome
a culinary experience from
the talented hands of
The Brothers Supper
followed by
fabulous entertainment from the voice of
Neil Mason
until carriages at:
Midnight
Dress to impress and for comfort -
it's Christmas after all
ABOUT THE VENUE
Guildhall provides a setting steeped in history.
It has been central to the government of Lichfield for over 600 years and has also served as the Court, prison, police station, theatre, and fire station.
The first Guildhall was erected on this site around 1387 when Richard II granted ordinances to the Guild of St Mary and St John the Baptist.
In 1707 the Conduit Lands Trustees made a contribution of £83 for “plucking down and rebuilding the Townhall” because it was “so ruinous that it was in danger of falling down”. Further works took place in 1741, and most of the present ground floor, and the smaller rooms at the rear of the building date from this period.
By the 1840s, Guildhall appears to have been in a ruinous condition, and in 1844 the Conduit Lands Trust agreed to provide £2,000 “to put the Guildhall to rights once and for all”. It is these works that created the Gothic-style frontage to Bore Street, and the panelled main hall on the first floor.
Lichfield
(Click for directions)
Gifts
Thank You for your incredible genorosity
Your contributions to our honeymoon fund to helped us experience the trip of a lifetime to Thailand.
What an exciting adventure it was !
Were You With Us ?
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