Rev Mike Smith from St John’s in Hartford laid on the wedding, complete with organist, photographer, reception and a three-tier cake.
Beth and Lee Southern from Norwich were the first couple to take advantage of the ‘Grand Wedding package’.
The newlyweds had been unable to afford a church ceremony for their big day as they were also trying to save up to buy a house.
Beth told the Mail Online: “Because weddings are so expensive we thought we’d have to wait.
“Then we spotted this offer and it meant we could do both at the same time.”
“I couldn’t have asked for a better day.
“The wedding was perfect.”
Rev Mike Smith previously told Premier’s News Hour where the inspiration to provide three affordable weddings a year came from.
“It was an idea that came a few years ago now, when we had a couple who cancelled their wedding in church for cost reasons.
“That was followed by a couple more who did the same thing. It was about that time the Church of England decided to put a massive hike on its wedding fees and I felt uncomfortable with that and so began to put together a team of volunteers, with the idea that we could do somebody’s whole day for an affordable price.”
The average cost of a wedding in the UK this year has now risen to over £30,000.
While the dress wasn’t included in the package, Beth managed to pick up a frock for…
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