Derby

Rings, a fancy frock and the most romantic day of the year – the wedding taking place at St Joseph’s RC Church, Staveley on Valentine’s Day, had all the features of a real wedding – except the participants were school children. Children from St Joseph’s RC / CofE Junior School in Inkersall took part in a pretend wedding ceremony as part of their religious education lessons. The ‘bride’ arrived at the church in a limousine and walked down the aisle to meet her ‘groom’ accompanied by traditional music. The ‘couple’ said their vows, before exchanging rings in front of classmates. Fr David Teasdel took the service, and said beforehand: “We have already done preparatory work with the children in class, teaching them about marriage but thought the best way to teach them about the marriage service was for them to act it out in church. The bride and groom are both dressing for the occasion, they will exchange rings, albeit toy ones, and will release two white doves at the end of the service.”