The flag flew, the bells rang out and history was made in St John’s Church, Midsomer Norton on Saturday, 28th April when Fr Christopher Chiplin, Vicar of the parish for 24 years, glowing with pride, walked his eldest daughter, Laura, from the Vicarage to St John’s, up the aisle and then married her to Oliver Robinson.

Laura, 31, who was only seven when the family of six moved to Midsomer Norton in 1994, looked radiant in a romantic ivory Catherine Deane Tamsin Gown of embroidered tulle and held a hand-tied bouquet by Alison Miller. Laura was attended by her two sisters, Alice, 29, and Emma, 26, who looked equally beautiful in silver embellished tulle gowns.

St. John’s was bedecked with stunning flowers, thanks to the team of Church Flower Arrangers led by Jenny Barnet, filling the Church with a rich perfume and delicate colour.

Pedestals were given in memory of the bride’s grandparents and the groom’s grandmother, who all died last year. The pascal candle was given in memory of Joan Gregory, a dear friend, congregation and choir member who died one year ago on Saturday.

The choir, led by Naomi MacLeod-Jones, sang ‘This Marriage’ by Eric Whitacre before Bride and father walked down the aisle to The Grand March from Aida. The carefully-crafted service saw traditional hymns – ‘Love Divine’ and ‘Jerusalem’ – sit comfortably alongside modern songs. The choir sang Rutter’s ‘For the Beauty of the Earth’ and ‘Seasons of Love’, from the musical Rent, during the signing of the register, followed by a very hearty congregational rendition of ‘All You Need Is Love’.

Organists were Margaret Whately, Geoff Miles and Matthew Redman.

Oliver’s sister, Hannah Robinson, read from St Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, while Laura’s brother, Giles, gave a dramatic presentation from Romeo and Juliet.

Over 100 members of the church congregation and friends from St John’s Church, Highbridge, where Laura was born, came to witness and share the celebrations. Champagne and wedding cake, made by the bride’s mother, Diane, was enjoyed in Church after the ceremony. Laura thanked all those in St. John’s for their love and kindness over the years, and for all they had done to make their wedding so special. The family and very close friends then took the short walk to a resplendently decorated marquee in the garden of The Old Priory for a private Wedding Breakfast.

Laura and Oliver, originally from Northwich, Cheshire, met eight years ago at the Barbican, London, where Oliver, 34, a furniture designer, is also Box Office Manager, and Laura was a Centre Manager. Laura moved to be Head of Visitor Operations at the V&A and will be taking up a new post as Attractions Manager for Tottenham Hotspur Football Club as they open their new stadium, museum and visitor centre, when they return from their honeymoon in Japan.

The couple had requested no presents, but instead invited their families to Choose Love if they wished to mark the occasion with a gift. Choose Love is the world’s first store that buys real products for refugees. Founded in 2015 by a small group of friends, in just three years they have grown to become one of the most prominent humanitarian aid organisations working directly with refugees and migrants in Europe and beyond. Items range from socks, blankets, sleeping bags, tents, children’s coats and school bags with supplies to cooking pans, first aid kits, medical kits and search and rescue vests. For more information about this unique charity, go to: www.choose.love

Laura and Oliver would again like to thank all those who worked so hard: their family; their friends and flower arrangers in St John’s; the bellringers who rang before and after the service and the band who rang a peal of Cambridge Surprise Maximus on Sunday afternoon, and everyone who helped to make their special day so magical and memorable.

Diane Chiplin