THE BEST £20 WE EVER SPENT
Tommy and Madeleine reminisce about splashing out on wedding as they celebrate 70th anniversary
A COUPLE who spent just £20 on their wedding are still going strong after celebrating 70 years together.
Tommy and Madeleine Pryde marked their platinum anniversary with a special day out, joined by their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The couple met in 1945 and tied the knot two years later with their special day setting them back £20.
The average cost of a wedding in the UK today is more than 1000 times that – with couples forking out £27,000 to get hitched.
But even in 1947, getting married wasn’t cheap. Tommy, 94, said: “Wages were £7 a week. The wedding cost £20, which was a lot of money back then. We had a nice time.”
Madeleine, 92, said they had a small ceremony, with just their parents, the best man and maid of honour.
She said: “Our guests met us at the reception afterwards. I think there was about 40 of us. The £20 got us soup, sandwiches and sausage rolls.”
The couple, from Dalkeith, Midlothian, met while out dancing.
Tommy said: “She was a cracker, I still remember that.”
They married on October 31, 1947, at St Matthew’s Church in Rosewell, Midlothian, and went on honeymoon to Salford. The couple have three daughters, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Granddaughter Emma Bisset, 30, said: “They are like chalk and cheese.
“Papa is quiet and likes long chats about the universe whereas Granny is the life and soul of the party.
“They are an absolute inspiration to the whole family.”
Tommy revealed the secret behind the couple’s long marriage. He said: “Compromise – just doing as I’m told for the quiet life.”