A couple are taking a step back in time to tie the knot on Saturday.

Andrew Lovell and Annette Feighery are having a medieval-themed wedding where bride, groom and guests will wear clothes fashioned on the middle ages.

The ceremony will be held at St Giles Church in Tonge and in honour of the occasion the bells will be rung reportedly for the first time in nearly 30 years.

Web designer, Andrew, 49, has settled on a Henry VIII outfit for the big day, replete with a “skirt and heavy coat” while 46-year-old Annette, who is due to arrive at church on horseback, has chosen a medieval wedding dress.

The couple, from Coombe Drive, Murston, are fans of the period in British history hence their break from the nuptial norm.

Andrew said: “Neither of us has been married before so we weren’t looking for a traditional wedding.

“We like the medieval period and really enjoyed a trip to Warwick Castle where you get a real feel for the atmosphere of those times.”

Andrew said medieval music will accompany the wedding dinner, but the newlyweds and their 60 guests will make merry on home-made wine rather than mead, as might have been the case more than 500 years ago.

A hog roast, tarot readings, fire-eating and stocks hired from a props company are also planned for the post-ceremony banquet which will include a very 21st century disco.

With every flamboyant detail of their history-laden trip to the altar taken care of, there’s only one thing standing in the way of a smooth passage to a life of blissful matrimony – Andrew’s leg.

He has a broken knee and for the past nine weeks has been reliant on crutches.
He is hoping to walk down the aisle unaided, but it’s more likely this particular Henry VIII will need a bit of modern day help to take his place beside his medieval bride.