How the ‘UK’s first’ charity store marriage ceremony price solely £200

Utilizing not too long ago donated church pews and a secondhand marriage ceremony gown, charity ‘fanatics’ Nina and Stefan held their marriage ceremony on the Emmaus Mossley Secondhand Superstore in Tameside earlier this month.  

The quirky venue shaped the “excellent setting”, stated the couple with freshly donated church pews and an eclectic mixture of eating chairs seating greater than 100 friends. The engagement ring, Nina’s earrings, Stefan’s waistcoat, decorations, glassware, crockery and numerous the friends’ outfits got here from Emmaus. 

It meant that the entire celebration on 8 September price simply £200, but was removed from austere, as newlywed Nina advised Constructive Information: “Our marriage ceremony day was past all expectations. Due to everybody at Emmaus Mossley, we had been in a position to have a sustainable marriage ceremony, briefly utilizing all of the stuff that’s accessible inside their charity store to take advantage of nourishing, fantastic and various house. Mainly, the whole lot that made our marriage ceremony shiny got here from their Secondhand Superstore.”

Thrift-loving Nina and Stefan have shopped collectively at Emmaus for greater than 15 years and volunteered at lots of the charity’s occasions. Following the ceremony, the marriage celebration continued at close by inventive arts venue The Vale, the Northern Carnival Centre for Excellence. 

“I’d say our marriage ceremony price round £200 and that lined my secondhand gown, two marriage ceremony rings, Stefan’s outfit, naan breads, orange juice and lemonade,” stated Nina. 

“I might by no means put a value on our marriage ceremony although as a result of it was solely made attainable by the effort and time given freely by the folks at Emmaus Mossley and The Vale, together with the generosity of household and pals with their fantastic contributions of do-it-yourself desserts and beautiful shared dishes of meals within the night. You possibly can solely get to have a marriage like that by being a part of a extremely robust neighborhood and by having some superb pals.” 

Our marriage ceremony day was past all expectations. Due to everybody at Emmaus Mossley, we had been in a position to have a sustainable marriage ceremony 

 Emmaus Mossley helps individuals who have skilled homelessness by offering them with a house, companionship, tailor-made help and work alternatives. The charity’s Secondhand Superstore sells furnishings, vogue, books, music and bric-a-brac alongside handmade and upcycled gadgets. 

Hazel Hodkinson, retail supervisor at Emmaus Mossley, stated: “Nina and Stefan’s marriage ceremony was such a stunning occasion and an actual honour for our neighborhood to host. That is the primary time in our charity’s 27-year historical past that we’ve held a marriage, and we consider it could be the primary marriage ceremony in a UK charity store too.” 

All revenue raised from the store is utilized by the charity to maintain its 26-bedroom neighborhood and the help given to individuals who stay there. Gadgets purchased from the shop pay for meals, vitality prices, tailor-made help and coaching, serving to folks on the journey away from homelessness.

Pictures: Zuza Grubecka