A couple got married at their ‘favourite spot’ in Leicester Park

A couple’s humanist wedding was in their ‘favourite place in the world’ – the local town park.

John and Sally Nutting live in Clarendon Park in Leicester and held a ceremony on Saturday in nearby Victoria Park.

Special permission was granted by Leicester City Council for the small gathering, which saw 150 guests join them to celebrate their romantic day.

The couple legally married in front of two witnesses on Friday, but said the park wedding was their “special moment”.

New Mrs Nutting, 51, said: “I wanted to get married outside and this is John’s favorite park and favorite place to come, so I said, ‘Let’s ask if we can do this here?” and I got it, which is amazing.

“I couldn’t have asked for better.”

Mr Nutting, 58, said: “I spend a lot of time in the park; we all all play once a year at this place.

“It’s all about love, not fear, everyone is welcome.”

Mr Nutting’s nickname is “square mile John” because most of his work as a builder is within one square mile of Victoria Park.

Even the flowers, photographer and dress were sourced locally and the reception overlooked the park.

Leicester City Council agreed that the couple could hold the gathering in Victoria Park on a day when there were no other community events.

Humanist celebrant Rachael Parker, 54, presided over the ceremony.

She told the BBC: “It’s a brilliant idea, it sums up their personality and there’s a real community around this area, Clarendon Park.

“One of the joys of humanist ceremonies is that people can have exactly what they want.”

One of their guests, Lindsay Abraham, 55, who knows the couple well, said: “John is always doing things out of the ordinary.

“He’s known as ‘Pity John’ because he doesn’t usually work outside the area and the park has been a big part of their lives.”