FIVE couples have made history this year, by becoming the first to tie the knot at the Severn Valley Railway (SVR).

The first couple to say their I do’s at the railway were Gail and Phil Mayes who got married on Tuesday, July 29, in the King George VI Royal Saloon Carriage at SVR's Engine House Visitor Centre, surrounded by their friends and family.

The Surrey couple celebrated with a wedding breakfast and described their history making wedding as a “dream come true”.

Mr Mayes said: “The vintage theme and intimate setting is something I feel would be hard to beat.

“The feedback we received, that this wedding was the best our guests had ever been to, was a pleasure to hear.”

Sue and Bob Reeves, from Quinton, became the second couple to tie the knot at SVR, while rail enthusiasts Graham Atherton and Steve Brittan made history by becoming the first pair to exchange their vows on the footplate of a steam locomotive, on Saturday, August 23.

They were followed by Nickey and Ray Churchill, on September 16, and Joyce and Simon Farnell, on September 27, the two latest couples to marry since the Engine House Visitor Centre became fully-licensed to hold weddings and civil ceremonies.

Clare Gibbard, SVR’s marketing and communications manager, said: “These first weddings were such an exciting landmark for us.

“It was such a pleasure to see the couples and their friends and families enjoying their special day so much and we hope that it was as memorable for them as it was for us.

“There wasn’t a dry eye in the house – and that was just the staff.”

SVR’s wedding package offers couples the chance to travel to their ceremony at the Engine House in style aboard a period observation saloon from Kidderminster.

The Engine House is home to the railway’s reserve collection of locomotives and rolling stock, and couple’s can also be married aboard a Travelling Post Office carriage, an historic King George VI Royal Carriage or the footplate of a full-sized steam locomotive.

For more information call 01746 862387 or visit svr.co.uk