Couples renew their vows on Valentine's

The Lady Chapel had couples like the Reed's (pictured above) renewing their vows on Valentine's

More than 150 married couples gathered at the Anglican
Cathedral on Valentine’s Day to renew their wedding vows.

Among the couples were Dora and Kenneth Reed, from
Anfield, who are renewing their wedding vows to celebrate
their 63 years of marriage.

“We married on the March the 22nd of 1947. We got this card (pictured above) the year we got married and I’ve kept it always. This morning we visited the church where we got married all those years ago and tonight we’re here to celebrate our relationship,” said Dora Reed.

“We saw the event in the Echo and thought it would be a lovely thing to do to celebrate our 62, almost 63 years of marriage,” added Kenneth Reed.

The Cathedral organised the intimate service, hosted in the Lady Chapel which is often used for weddings, with the purpose of making this Valentine’s something unique.

Dean Justin Welby, who lead the service said: “Perhaps to some people, religion and the romance associated with Valentine’s Day are not obviously linked.”

The short service gave couples the opportunity to “renew the promises and hopes of marriage, simply and without embarrassment,” explained Dean Welby.

Lily and James Haynes, from the Wirral, who have been married for 16 years, also attended the ceremony.

James Haynes said: “The secret to a happy marriage is doing what your wife says, and making every day count.”

After the service, couples were invited to visit the ‘Icons in Transformation’ exhibition before heading to the Western Rooms for a candle-lit Valentine’s Day supper.

A spokesperson from Liverpool Cathedral said: "We were delighted with the success of the Cathedral's Valentine service. The Cathedral's Lady Chapel was full, with approximately 300-400 guests. 160 people enjoyed the meal afterwards.

"We believe that the opportunity to renew their vows in the splendid Lady Chapel made for an extremely special way to mark Valentine's day this year."