Here comes the bride..60 years on: Couple renew their vows on same date and time with all four original bridesmaids
By Daily Mail Reporter
A loving couple celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary by renewing their vows in front of the four original bridesmaids - 60 years after they tied the knot.
Denis, 85, and Jean Weaden, 78, met and fell in love in 1947 and got married four years later in 1951.
The couple are still very much in love and decided to celebrate 60 years of marriage at the same church to the exact minute of their original service.
Now and then: Denis, 85, and Jean Weaden, 78, first married in 1951 and have renewed their wedding vows 60 years later in Easton-in-Gordano, Somerset
Denis and Jean arrived at St George's parish church in Easton-in-Gordano, Somerset, in a car decorated with ribbons and were joined by 120 relatives and friends for their special day.
Amazingly, the couple's original bridesmaids Doreen Bullen, 76, Ann Speed, 75, Kathleen Horler, 72, and 69-year-old Dorothy Joyner reacquainted themselves with the important roles.
It was a real family affair as Doreen, Ann and Dorothy are Jean's sisters and Kathleen is Denis's niece.
Sadly, Denis had to do without was best man John Prunell, who passed away two years ago at the age of 78.
But the couple's great-grandson Jonathan Taylor, 17, took over John's role while granddaughter Beth Weaden, 16, was a flower girl.
Jean said: ‘Having a service to renew our vows was something I'd wanted to do for our 40th anniversary but it didn't happen.
Wedding reunion: From left to right - Dorothy Joyner (69), Ann Speed (75), Denis Weaden (85), Jean Weaden (79), Doreen Bullen (76) and Kathleen Horler (72), who all took part in the ceremony
‘I was determined to do it for our 60th and we saved up for the last two years for it.
‘I was really excited but also a bit nervous about the day but it was lovely to see friends and family we hadn't seen for years. My sister and her husband and son travelled to the service from France.
‘It poured with rain the first time around but we had a better luck this time. It rained a bit in the morning but it was beautiful afterwards.
‘I was shattered by the end of it but all the effort was worth it. We had a fantastic day.’
The couple didn't want gifts and instead asked for donations to charity.
They managed to raise £478 with the money going to Golden Oldies and breast cancer and prostate charities with both Denis and Jean having been affected by the illnesses.
The service to renew their vows was conducted by rector, the Rev Ruth Legg, with the happy couple sprinkled with confetti as they left the church.
Original ceremony: (left to right) Katleen Weaden, Ann Pernell, John Purnell, Dennis Weaden, Jean Weaden, Doreen Purnell, Dorothy Purnell and Sydney Purnell in front of the church at the wedding in 1951
Following the exchange of vows, Denis and Jean hosted a reception at nearby Pill Memorial Club.
bertuah sungguh naaa...bukan semua mendapat peluang sebegini specially hidup taat setia selama 60 tahun dgn pasangan yang sama...
