This in from the council, in their own words. Ed
Stacey, who works as a registrar for the Isle of Wight Council, said:
“It was just perfect, especially the bit where I was able to tell mum and dad they are again husband and wife.”
Remarried 25 years later
Her parents, Stuart and Julie Gough, from Cowes, remarried 25 years to the day after they first married – also at the Register Office at County Hall, Newport, Isle of Wight.
Since they divorced in 1999, neither had remarried – and the couple have spent much of the intervening time together.
Stacey, 26, said:
“When they told us they were going to tie the knot again, I was delighted to be able to offer to conduct the ceremony – it just seemed the obvious thing to do. It was also really nice that we were able to arrange it for the 25th anniversary of the first time they were married.”
A family affair
Stacey’s brothers and sisters – Rachel, 24, Emily, 22, Helen, 20, Christopher, 19, and Jacob, 14 – were all at the ceremony, as was the couple’s granddaughter Ruby, aged one.
Jacob gave his mum away, Chris presented the rings, Helen gave the reading and Rachel and Emily signed the register as witnesses. Ruby also wore the same headband that Stacey wore on the original wedding day 25 years ago.
Stacey’s mum Julie, 45, said:
“We had been thinking about remarrying for a few years as we knew we wanted to spend the rest of our lives married to each other. With the 25th anniversary coming up and with Stacey as a registrar it just seemed the perfect time to do it. It was lovely to also have my dad there, who wasn’t there the first time round and the ceremony itself was very emotional – even Stacey was crying by the end.
“We had a lovely day and had a mini-honeymoon in Shanklin at the weekend. In August will be going on our full honeymoon.”
Stacey’s dad Stuart, 49, a bus driver, said:
“It was a great day. The weather was brilliant and we had a fantastic garden party after the ceremony. It was great that all our children played a part in the ceremony, especially Stacey. It was strange hearing her call us by our names instead of ‘Mum and Dad’.”
“It was very much a first for us here”
Sharon Crews, superintendent registrar for the Isle of Wight Council, said:
“It is always lovely to conduct a ceremony for people you know, but when it is your parents getting remarried it must be extra special.
“Stacey had asked if it was ok to officiate at the remarriage of her parents and of course we were delighted to give the go ahead.
“The Register Office team were so pleased for Stacey and her parents. It was very much a first for us here – as none of us can recall someone officiating for their parents remarriage to one another.”
Image: © Isle of Wight Council
