Valentine's Day: Couples say 'I do' again at special church ceremony

Young and old attended a special service to renew their wedding vows and share memories of their marriages at St Andrew's Church in Netherton on Sunday.

Father Mike Rutter, who was overseeing procedures at the Dudley church, exclaimed 'love should be transformational' before encouraging couples to tell stories of their wedding day.

He continued: "The love that you have between the two of you is a glimpse and a small reflection of the love that God has for you.

"Tales from your wedding day bring moments of wonder and joy and should be treasured."

Catherine and Paul Fellows, from Netherton, were married in the church 30 years ago.

Mrs Fellows said: "It has been incredibly emotional today and very special to us.

"Looking back on our wedding day I remember Paul still having the stickers on his shoes when he knelt down and we had a laugh.

"It was a big wedding as we had a lot of family present and they were staying all over my house at the time.

"Since then we've had one daughter Emily. It was such a joyous occasion and this has been a great way to celebrate it again.

"On our actual wedding day it was Paul who got upset and I didn't.

"But this time around it has been a bit of role-reversal as I've got emotional instead," she said.

"We were contacted about today but it was something that had crossed our minds anyway," she added.

Bethan and David Challoner, married at the church three years ago.

They attended the event with their niece and nephew.

Mrs Challoner, aged 27, said: "We spotted this on the church Facebook and we always try to come along and support it when we can. I grew up here too, so it was the perfect venue.

"Our wedding day was very cold but it was incredibly picturesque with some amazing photos in the park afterwards."

Recalling their wedding day, Mr Challoner, 32, said: "It was a winter wedding as it was just before Christmas.

"I even arranged reindeers as a surprise. Looking back on the day it was perfect."

Meanwhile, Denise and Dennis Rose, both in their 70s, were one of the oldest couples to renew their vows.

Mrs Rose, 71, said: "We have been married for 50 years, and this was something we were thinking of doing for a while.

"It has been lovely to reaffirm our love for one another here today."

Sharing pictures of their wedding day, which was at St John's Church in Kate's Hill, Dudley, Mr Rose, 73, said: "I remember standing at the alter and my Gran came up behind and said 'you've still got time to change your mind' and I laughed – I knew that Denise was the one for me."

The event was organised in a similar vein to the popular Worcester Cathedral vow service and organised by parishioner of St Andrew's for five years, Sue Ridley.

Mrs Ridley said: "It was Father Mike's idea and we thought what a lovely way to get more people into the church and share the love.

"We have a lot of space here and to see faces new and old today has been wonderful."

Homemade cakes and refreshments were served following the 30-minute service for couples to mingle and view the Highbridge Road building.

A service sheet handed out to guests also included a blessing, which simply read: "Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter to the other.

"And now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other."

Today will also see the Renewal of Vows service take place at Worcester Cathedral, which is held every year on Valentine's Day.

The annual celebration is taking place at 7pm, and has been organised by three curates from around the Diocese.

It will be a simple service with a couple of well-known hymns, which can be enjoyed by everyone who wishes to attend.

The service will last around half an hour with Fairtrade chocolate hearts handed out after the ceremony.