A COUPLE from Montgomery celebrated their nuptials with a climate friendly wedding.

Green Party county councillor Jeremy Thorp proposed to Jenny Brignell on their favourite bench during lockdown – and finally tied the know with a variety of eco-friendly measures last month.

While Jeremy hoped for a quiet celebration, his fiancee was sure she could prove to him that a wedding with more guests could still be simple and not cost the earth, and set about trying to organise a low-carbon wedding.

She asked guests for their help in minimising the carbon-footprint of the wedding, including contributing to the buffet or charity in lieu of gifts, not buying new outfits, and travelling by foot, bike or public transport where possible.

The bride wore a bespoke floral dress made from second-hand duvet fabric while her bouquet was freshly picked from Montgomery gardens.

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The groom was decked out in a navy suit which had been purchased for £19.95 from a local charity shop for a family wedding earlier in the year.

He and their three sons donned matching ties and their daughter wore her bridesmaid's dress, all also from a recent family wedding.

The couple walked together to their local church in Llandyssil, where guests were encouraged to read the Order of Service from their phones rather than using printed copies.

Wooden wedding rings, made by the groom from a walnut tree in the garden, were exchanged – after being dropped on the floor.

County Times: Jeremy and Jenny outside the church.Jeremy and Jenny outside the church. (Image: From public.)

During the ceremony, Rev. David Gent said: "Marriage enriches society and strengthens community, and this one I think will have some effect on the environment as well."

After a shower of dried petal confetti, the newlyweds invited guests for homegrown apple juice and a look around their garden, which is accredited as wildlife-friendly by Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust, and is a nature haven.

Guests were invited to pick ripe fruits from the garden and polytunnel, home to their beloved tomatoes.

Many guests then walked with the couple back over the hill to Montgomery Town Hall for a ceilidh, led by local Monty Folk, again minimising on travel.

The Brignell-Thorps say they hope guests enjoyed being part of a special day celebrating not only their love for each other but also for their community and the wider world.

If you would like advice on how to reduce your carbon footprint or energy use, please contact the Montgomery Energy Group (MEG) facebook page or email Jeremy.Brignell-Thorp@hotmail.com