Here comes the bride... 60 years on

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.
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.

‘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.

Following the exchange of vows, Denis and Jean hosted a reception at nearby Pill Memorial Club.

Denis was born and brought up in Easton-in-Gordano with Jean coming from neighbouring Pill.

He joined the Royal Artillery as a teenager during the Second World War, serving for three-and-a-half years.

After the war Denis worked at Portishead power station for a few months before becoming a postman for 12 years.  Denis then worked as a milkman for 30 years retiring from his round after turning 65.

He met Jean in the village hall, known as The Hut, during a New Year's Eve dance. Four-and-a-half years later, they were married in St George's.

Denis said: ‘We even held the service at noon, exactly the same time as our wedding.

‘Looking from here, I can see The Hut where we met. I can't dance but it was where people went in those days.

‘I don't know where the past 60 years have gone. I wouldn't say we've never rowed but you just get on with it and today has been lovely.’

The couple, who have lived in the same house in Friendly Row, Pill, for 54 years, have four daughters and a son, 12 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren - soon to be 14.



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