Couple first to tie knot at manor
Two newlyweds were celebrating today after becoming the first couple to tie the knot at Wightwick Manor – as staff revealed the Victorian mansion is becoming an increasingly popular spot for weddings.
The house received its wedding licence, which will last for three years, back in the spring and took another booking just this morning, with rooms setting couples back more than £1,000. A further ceremony for the home once owned by the famous Mander family is planned for June 2009.
Barry and Sarah Wheeler, of Ackleton Gardens, Bradmore, made history yesterday by becoming the first to say their vows at the 1887 landmark.
The couple met at Wolverhampton City Council in 2000, where Mr Wheeler, aged 59, works in IT and Mrs Wheeler, 46, is a PA to chief executive Richard Carr.
The wedding took place in front of 60 family members and friends in the Great Parlour, which is the most expensive to book at a cost of around £1,600.
As well as the Great Parlour, created in 1893, the National Trust venue offers weddings in the Malt House, the drawing room and the morning room.
Lynn Hawthorne, learning assistant at Wightwick, said: "We've had very strong interest in using the manor as a wedding venue, but we plan to limit it to six or seven each year because we are open to the public for a good 10 months.
"It's such a beautiful venue – the photographer was gobsmacked at the scope of the building. It was quite an occasion yesterday, both for the couple and our staff."
Mr and Mrs Wheeler married at lunchtime before heading over to Pennfields Bowling & Social Club in Coalway Road for the reception.
Wolves fan Mr Wheeler said: "Basically, she didn't want to get married at the Molineux and I didn't fancy the registry office, so we thought why not try Wightwick Manor? It's been a brilliant day."
Mrs Wheeler added: "It was just the perfect setting. We were told that nobody had got married there until now. When you put it like that, it sounds very special."
