Northampton couple remain only pair to marry in Wembley Stadium …
A Northampton[1] couple remains the only pair to get married in Wembley Stadium’s centre circle. Adrian Steel and his partner Wendy tied the knot on May 5, 2007 at the newly built stadium.
They are the only couple to ever get special dispensation to exchange their vows on the centre circle of the hallowed turf. The dream to get married at Wembley began four years before the actual event.
As mad football fans, the couple were keen to embrace their love of the game within their wedding plans. Unfortunately, at the time it was only half complete as work was underway to build the new Wembley Stadium.
Adrian explains: “We wanted to fuse our love of football with the incredible occasion of getting married so we came up with a vison and aspiration to get married at Wembley Stadium.
“Our goal was to make this so unique, memorable and special for not just ourselves, but also all our family and friends that attended. Everything had to be themed from Wendy’s designer wedding dress to my ‘England kit’.
“The bridesmaids dresses, the coaches coming down from Chesterfield and Mansfield – everyone to wear football ‘kits’ of their choice and the reception and after party was all at Wembley Stadium.
“It was all football themed including the cake. In effect, we had to hire the whole of Wembley Stadium for the whole day privately to accommodate our requirements.”
The couple waited four years for the new stadium to open when their wish was granted. They got married in the centre circle in a ceremony witnessed by 250 family and friends in the stands.
The reception took place in the royal suite of the stadium and served as a test event for the stadium’s grand opening a week later – when Chelsea took on Manchester United in the FA Cup Final.
Guests at the wedding (Image: Ashley Franklin Photography/Supplied)
Adrian said: “It was the perfect match of the day. We finally walked out the players tunnel at 3pm to Baddiel and Skinner’s ‘Three Lions’ with a large red carpet out to the centre spot.
“We sang the national anthem, just like at our own private FA Cup final. The whole ceremony was played over the Wembley audio system. It was a dream experience and a real wow occasion for all of us.
“We then all retired to have the party of all parties late into the evening in the royal suite of Wembley Stadium. It’s 16 years ago in May our anniversary and constantly our family and friends text and send us pictures whenever they visit Wembley.
“They say ‘it reminds us of what an awesome day we all had’ and Wendy and I go back at least three or four times a year to watch football and concerts. It clearly it holds a very special memory and sentiment.”
On April 28, it was Wembley Stadium’s 100th anniversary and since it first opened in 1923, it has been home to some of the most historic and memorable moments of the last century.
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References
- ^ Northampton (www.northantslive.news)
- ^ Northampton Saints ‘pumped’ for Saracens semi-final says head coach Sam Vesty (www.northantslive.news)
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