More on KentOnline
Home Canterbury News Article
by Katie Alston
It was a case of here comes the bride - all black and dyed- as gravedigger Alan Peacock married the love of his life Caz.
The self-titled goths held a blessing on Saturday in Herne Bay Cemetery’s chapel of rest.
Care assistant Caz, 49, who has been married twice before, has been with Alan, 46, for five years.
Her previous marriages were more traditional, complete with white gown and wedding march.
This time around, however, Caz wanted to do things the way she had always dreamed.
Having been a goth since the age of 18, there was only one colour theme of choice - black and Cadbury purple, with her flowers, cake and decorations all co-ordinating.
Wearing a huge black gown and dark makeup, Caz clambered into the back of a hearse and was driven to the cemetery’s chapel for the 4pm nuptials. The undertaker even walked in front of the coffin carrier as it made its way through the graveyard.
She got to the church on time and was greeted by a hundred strong congregation, who had all been ordered on their invites to wear black.
Her beau Alan was fitted out in traditional goth clobber with knee high boots and a top hat.
In place of the classic here comes the bride anthem, the lovebirds walked down the aisle to The Omen together.
The couple, who have seven children and four grandchildren between them, officially got married at Canterbury Registry Office last Thursday with just two witnesses to accompany them.
The Saturday ceremony itself had a wicca undertone, with Alan and Caz drinking red wine from a goblet and having their hands bound together with a ribbon.
Traditional hymns were replaced by Metallica and there were no rings exchanged.
Caz said: “It was perfect and everything that we hoped it would be.
“Getting married at a cemetery and arriving in a hearse isn’t morbid, we’re not hurting anyone.
“People are very quick to judge and stereotype, but we are nice, decent people and those that judge more often than not are shallow and frightened of what they don’t understand.
“We are respectful of the dead and kept the decorating of the chapel to a minimum but the reception was where we could go to town.”
“It was all exactly what we wanted. I understand it wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but it was our idea of perfect."
See this Thursday's Gazette for full story and pictures.