Mel and Laura: Gay wedding at the Lost Village of Dode

June 13, 2009  |  Weddings

So we have a 900 year old building, an 80 year old car, a neolithic restaurant (well kind of) and a civil partnership ceremony that was made legal less than 4 year ago. Looks like we have ourselves a fabulous gay wedding :)

Here’s the “first” bride, Laura. Looking, frankly, amazing in her gorgeous wedding dress.

Laura ready for her civil partnership to Mel

I call her the “first” bride simply because when she was there ready with hair and makeup perfectly done in a fabulous ivory dress with white beading by Alfred Angelo, Mel was sitting in thermal pyjamas getting her hair spiked :)

Mel totally NOT ready for her civil partnership to Laura

And yes she blames Laura for the pyjamas.

They both scrubbed up OK though……

Mel and Laura with their bridesmaids - gat weddings by MyWeddingStory

And then, down windy roads in a car built before they put the lead in petrol much less took it out, they made their way to the fairytale venue that is the Lost Village of Dode. An enchanted place where time has pretty much stood still since shortly after the Norman Conquest.

Mel and Laura with their vintage black and white Chrysler

Of course being built around 900 years ago, there are a couple of mod cons that you don’t get at the Village of Dode. Like electricity. Or lights for that matter. But the candles flickered, a couple of wall sconces added a bit of colour and with hay on the floor and sheepskins for their friends and family to sit on Mel and Laura stood before the registrar for their civil partnership.

Mel and Laura's lesbian civil partnership at the Lost Village of Dode

Of course you can’t really hold a gay wedding in a church. But that’s OK. This one was deconsecrated. 700 years ago.

And just look. I don’t think there was really any chance of anybody in the congregation objecting, but Mel couldn’t resist a nervous look round during the “if any person here present bit”.

Last chance to object to Mel and Laura's gay wedding!

Of course nobody did – they would have missed one almighty party!

Just a little paperwork to be done….

Signing the register at a civil partnership

…and then a little time to pose for pictures….

Portrait of Mel and Laura at their gay wedding at Dode church

…before the reception where of course hats will be worn.

Guest in a hat at a wedding reception

No, I don’t think I will explain how James came to be wearing that hat. Suffice it to say that I have a very firm promise that the picture of me wearing it will never be posted anywhere on the internet. I made no such promise to James…. :)

But then no party is complete without dancing….

First dance at a lesbian wedding

And if you’ve seen other weddings from MyWeddingStory then you’ll know that I can never resist and after dark portrait just as the sky still glows.

Signature night portrait by top wedding photographer Jonathan Ryan of MyWeddingStory

Mel and Laura are off for a few days but if you know anything about Mel you’ll know she’ll be checking her iPhone. Why not leave your thoughts and comments for her below?

And yes, there will be hundreds more pictures when they get back :)

You may also like:

  1. Mel and Laura: All the pictures from a gay wedding
  2. A Kentish Partnership Magazine
  3. A Kent Village wedding – Katherine and James
  4. Kirsty and Lee – a village wedding….and a 30 foot limo
  5. Phew, another scorcher

15 Comments


  1. these pictures are amazing! You both look so beautiful and I love the chapel. Congratulations girls and have an amazing time in Rome. Love you both Lisa & Pete xxxx

  2. To my dearest sister Laura and Mel, congratulations to you both, it was a beautiful day. Fond memories will live in my mind forever.

    I think you have probably been in Rome for a few hours now.

    Have a fabulous time.

    All our love to you both.

    Scott, Tab, George & Abi-Jayne

    x x x x

  3. p.s. Mel turn the i phone off and have some fun.

    x x

  4. You both look amazing and so happy, the setting is out of this world, so sorry could not make it.
    Enjoy the rest of your lives together
    Dimitris, Carol & Sophie xx

  5. We love the pictures of your perfect day,We are lucky to have such a wonderful daughter and daughter-in-law. Live long and Prosper.

  6. you both look absolutely stunning and I hope Naomi remembered (before she got too hammered) to pass on my best wishes to you both for your future. Much happiness and love, Chris x

  7. Mel & Laura

    hope you are having a fab time, the wedding was wonderful, as are your pictures so far, can’t wait to see the rest of them.

    wishing you much happiness

    love Hazel & Bill xxx

  8. Wow, what a day that was! Baby Sis in a dress! If I remember correctly, that has happened only once before since you were 5, and that was your Christening dress!

    I’m immensely proud of you both. Look after each other and have fun. Love, Mark.

  9. Mel Lowin Bridesmaid!

    Wow Girls beautiful pictures! Had such a fabulous day!

    Love you both so much xxx

  10. Wow what a beautifully stunning wedding, church, brides and all :)

  11. Lovely work!
    Congratulations to the beautiful brides :)

  12. It looked like a fabulous day! Good luck to you both…

    See you soon, and I promise not to bring up the teddy bear incident!

    Love

    Tony xx

  13. Hello,Well done you too! The pictures are great, theres plenty more I bet. sorry to have missed it. Hope you had a great time in Rome. HOT HOT HOT !

  14. fantastic photos u both looked amazing. We All had a great time. All my love and best wishes Fran

  15. Huge congratulations!! So sorry I couldn’t be there, looks like it was a fabulous day, enjoy a wonderful life together

    Lots of love

    Sarah & Shane x x x

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