Couple are joust married...in medieval wedding theme
FRIAR Tuck, Maid Marian, a court jester and a wizard may not be your typical run-of-the-mill wedding guests.
But they were all there to see Julie Vernon marry Ian Fennell on Saturday at Newcastle Register Office.
The 43-year-old bride was dressed in a crown and a red velvet dress and carried a red-and-white bouquet, depicting the St George's cross. Groom Ian, also 43, wore a red tunic and carried a sword.
The pair, who have been together for three years, came up with their medieval wedding theme on St George's Day.
Catering assistant Julie said: "A friend came into the Gatehouse pub in Clayton dressed as a knight so we thought we'd dress up on our wedding day. I didn't want to wear a traditional wedding dress."
Self-employed welder Ian said: "When we told our guests about our theme, everybody thought it was a good idea. It was a spur of the moment idea but it's been a lot of fun."
The couple bought their outfits on the internet and had enjoyed assigning roles to their friends.
After the ceremony, the couple, who live in Newcastle, celebrated with 70 guests at a reception at The Rigger pub in Marsh Parade, Newcastle.
Best man Kelvin Lapthorn, of Clayton, dressed as Friar Tuck, complete with brown monk's robe and a wooden cross.
The unemployed 45-year-old, who has been friends with Ian for 15 years, said: "Ian never does things by halves. It's the strangest thing I've worn to a wedding."
Friend Barry Fowler wore a purple-and-black jester's outfit with greenpointed shoes.
The 42-year-old JCB worker, of Clayton, said: "They told me this is what I had to wear. It's really good, a bit of fun."
Unemployed Janice Clowes, aged 46, of Clayton, who wore a turquoise Maid Marian dress, said: "It's brilliant. It's so different from the usual wedding outfits.
"I think it makes it special and a bit of a laugh.
"I've been friends with Ian for more than 20 years and I wasn't really surprised when they told me what they were planning."
Like this story? Share it with friends
10 Comments
by Ken, Stoke-on-Trent
Wednesday, September 15 2010, 12:32PM
“Warren, I said it's basic journalism, not good journalism.
By the the way, 'has' has got a 'h' in it.”
by norm, newcastle
Tuesday, September 14 2010, 7:20AM
“@ Ken, because when you post on here you have to put your location, that's basic common sense.”
by Tonyjohnt, Hanley
Monday, September 13 2010, 10:24PM
“Best of luck to 'em. Many happy years together.
As for those saying this is no news story, we really do need a break from immigrant/dole-scum/druggie commits crime now and then.”
by Warren, Meir
Monday, September 13 2010, 6:54PM
“By the way Ken.... spell has got a 's' in it, thought I hadn't noticed that one, didn't you.”
by Warren, Meir
Monday, September 13 2010, 6:50PM
“Ken... I don't think saying somebody is employed or not when it as nothing to do with the report is in any way good journalism, and whats the problem with missing out the odd ' in a comment. We know what Dawn means.”
by Ken, Stoke-on-Trent
Monday, September 13 2010, 5:59PM
“Hi Dawn,
Couple of things:
1. Please pell The Sentinel correctly, it's been spelt like that for more than 100 years.
2. There's only one newspaper called The Sentinel - it's not plural hence not "The Sentinels" but "The Sentinel's".
Norm, it's just basic journalism. Why do we need to know you're from Newcastle?
Good story, it's not going to affect people's council tax or income tax etc etc but it's just a bit of fun.”
by Martin, Newcastle
Monday, September 13 2010, 1:49PM
“I think it's disrespectful to show such distaste to other comunities, the cross of St George being used as a bouquet shows a selfish depiction of nationalism.
The cross of St George may well be traced back to these great English times, but is there any real need to flaunt the colours in this day and age...!
Oh and also, Merlin doesn't look anything like he does on the BBC though.! you sure the costume is authentic?
Well done, only messing with your minds.”
by Warren, Meir
Monday, September 13 2010, 1:20PM
“What Friar Tuck and Maid Marian were doing there is anyone gess. A good few hunderd years after Merlin however way you look at it. Never mind, seems to have kept the unemployed happy and dressed up anyway...lol. I wish them love and happyness in there married life anyway.”
by norm, newcastle
Monday, September 13 2010, 12:42PM
“Why do we have to know who's employed, and unemployed?, nothing to do with this story.”
by Dawn, Bucknall
Monday, September 13 2010, 11:13AM
“Slow day in The Sentinals office today then?
I hardly class this as news, better suited for the announcments section?”