There's probably not many people who would choose to have their wedding reception at their place of work.

But for the head of catering at the Isle of Sheppey Academy – he couldn’t think of anywhere better than the canteen he manages.

Brian Reddington and his partner Angela Harrison, both of Scarborough Drive, Minster, married at St Peter’s Church in Halfway last Saturday.

Angela, 38, was given away by her son Chris Harrison, 14, and the bridesmaids were her daughter Charlotte, 16, and friend Tracey Dewe.

The couple’s 20-month old son Lucas was the ring bearer.

After the ceremony, the wedding party headed to the refectory at the academy’s east site in Minster.

During school time, the room is used by pupils having their lunch, but on the Reddingtons’ wedding day, about 100 guests were there enjoying canapes and Pimm’s.

The room had been transformed with the linings from a marquee and there were round tables with silver chairs and decorations of lights and balloons.

Guests were entertained by a magician and there were outdoor games and toys on the school fields.

Brian, 48, took care of all the catering himself – including the wedding breakfast.

The groom said: “The academy was an ideal venue for our wedding – it was local, cost effective and lends itself to large parties that require outdoor space too.

“It also enforces the academy’s plans for future community use.

“People didn’t know what to expect but it was absolutely fantastic and worked better than I thought it would. It was hard work but well worth it.”

Housewife Angela said she is used to Brian’s ideas – but at first she couldn’t envisage what the canteen would look like.

But she said: “Once the marquee linings went up – wow.

“It was amazing and we had such a great day.

“Hopefully it will encourage other people to do the same thing and it will start to be used as a community base.”

• The Isle of Sheppey Academy is available for community use.
  Contact Brian on 01795 879016.