Television wedding filmed at theatre

A wedding filmed at Stamford Corn Exchange will be aired on a children’s television programme soon.

CBBC’s Marrying Mum and Dad will be aired on Wednesday, August 15, at 8.30am, and available on iPlayer from August 9.

The wedding of Market Harborough couple Elise and Beresford was organised by their two daughters and had a fun and unique Motown and Soul theme - and the couple tied the knot in the auditorium with a reception in The Theatre Lounge.

Theatre manager Judith Mackie said: “It was brilliant to see the two daughters of happy couple Elise and Beresford organise the wedding, from lighting and decorations, to costume and transport, all as a surprise for Mum and Dad on their big day.”

As well as being a busy theatre with a packed programme of comedy events and other shows, the venue in Broad Street has often played host to weddings over the past six years.

But Judith said CBBC did a particularly “fantastic job showcasing just what our space was capable of”.

The biggest surprise of the day came when the daughters were about to sing ‘When Will I See You Again’ with CBBC presenter Naomi Wilkinson, the presenter announced that she was not to be singing with them - and introduced the arrival of Motown legend and Three Degrees star Sheila Ferguson.

The planning of the event took several weeks to organise between the Corn Exchange technical staff and the CBBC team, including pre-wedding filming, at which the daughters were able to outline how they wanted the day to look - including a light-up dance floor. The big day was in June.

Judith added: “It was all worthwhile to see the wedding come together.

"The incredible efforts of their prop makers, including giant vinyl records, and enormous banners for stage and for the theatre front, and the costumes not only for mum and dad, but also for the presenters Naomi Wilkinson and Ed Petrie who were dressed as a piano and a record player complete with coin slot and sound effects, all added to make the day one to remember for a very long time.”

Judith said many people in the local area were not aware the venue offer weddings.

She said: “It’s a quirky setting that can be adapted to suit everyones theme , the star cloth and drapes transform the venue.

"It’s not as expensive as you people think to get married here with costs starting from £350.”

To find out more about weddings e-mail: info@stamfordcornexchange.co.uk or call 01780 766455.