Party like it's 1945: History buffs tie knot on Iron Bridge during WW2 weekend
A pair of Shropshire newly-weds partied like it was 1945 after tying the knot at a Second World War event.
Shrewsbury couple David Williams and Julie Bourrett, who are historical re-enactors, got hitched at the Ironbridge Gorge World War 2 weekend on Saturday dressed in outfits from the era.
The pair from Bayston Hill made their vows and exchanged rings on the bridge, the scene of their first date, as they were watched by friends and family.
The pair enjoyed a reception and partied at the Grand Dance, with entertainment by the Ashby Big Band.
They arrived in a 1936 Morris Eight, and Julie looked picture perfect in an 80-year-old hand-made dress with traditional 1940s-style hair and make-up.
The RAF uniform David wore replicated that of Bayston Hill pilot Eric Lock, who flew in the Battle of Britain.
The legendary fighter pilot, who has a road in the village named after him, was shot down in 1941 and his body was never found. David's uniform had the medals the flight lieutenant would have worn.
His daughters Alice, 20, and Emily, 16, were the bridesmaids.
David said: "When Julie appeared it was mind-blowing. It was very emotional to see her appear as she did with the make-up and the hair.
"It was a cracking day. We are re-enactors and we do it every weekend pretty much. That's why we had such a big turn out at the wedding."
He added: "We were internet dating. I'm from Dudley and she is French Canadian, but lived in Shrewsbury, so we met half way.
"We had our first date in Ironbridge, our first kiss on the bridge and I proposed there, so it was only right that we got married there as well.
"Everyone was over the moon for us. In the 1940s you would struggle to pay for a wedding, so everyone chipped in something and made it happen."
For their honeymoon they are going to Normandy to see where the D-Day landings happened.
Dave Adams, organiser of the Second World War weekend, said: “Everything was themed 1940s.
“The church bells played Congratulations for them, and was playing other music from the time as well like The Dambusters theme.
“It was fantastic.”
The wedding was one of the highlights of a weekend which saw hundreds descend on the town to get a glimpse of what life was like during wartime.
There were people dressed in 1940s outfits, weapons demonstrations, battle re-enactments and two vintage plane fly-pasts.
The weekend was to raise money for the Pilgrim Bandits charity, which was set up to help and inspire injured personnel to live life to the full.
In the previous five years the event has been held, a total of £30,000 has been raised for the cause.
