Couple’s wedding is a first for hall

Sep 1 2007 by Paula Owens, Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL’S iconic St George’s Hall has been the location of many special occasions – but for the first time in its history it will today be host to a wedding ceremony.

Bride Jayne Moore and groom Derek Wall say they feel privileged to be the first couple to use the hall’s new licence for weddings.

Miss Moore, 36, and her 39-year-old fiancé have been planning their big day for around three months and have come up with a menu of local delicacies to be served to guests after the ceremony – including fish and chips wrapped in newspaper, and bowls of scouse.

The pair, who live in Kensington, met 17 years ago at the Albert Dock when Mr Wall’s Royal Navy ship was docked in Liverpool.

Cancer survivor Miss Moore is managing director of PR company Agent Marketing. “For me, St George’s Hall is a very significant place,” she said.

“My dad and brother, who have both passed away, were both named George, and my brother used to take me there when I was a little girl.

“When I heard weddings were to be licensed at the hall, I pounced on the operations director and asked if they could do it for September 1.

“They finally obtained the licence about a week ago – so it’s great that they’ve done it just in time for us.

“It’s so exciting and a real privilege to be first to get married at such a stunning venue. There are people coming from all over the country and from around the world. We’re delighted to be able to share such a special place with them as you don’t get to go in there very often.”

Saturday’s event begins at 4pm with drinks in the building’s North Hall and then the 200-strong party will move through to the small concert room, where the hour-long wedding will take place followed by the evening reception.

During the ceremony, Liverpool choir Sense of Sound will perform, as well as singer Jen Heyes and harpist Dhan Schwartz, who will play The Beatles’ hit, Here Comes the Sun.

Miss Moore said: “It’s going to be a traditional wedding with a bit of a twist – my dress will be a classic bride’s gown but we’ll also have quirky things like fish and chips in newspaper.

“All our food is also organic and locally sourced.”

Miss Moore’s mother Sally will give her away and her best friend Mariella, who is travelling to the city from Argentina, will be bridesmaid.

After the reception, the newlyweds will spend a night at a city centre hotel and will later enjoy a week’s honeymoon in a cottage overlooking the coast at Harlech, North Wales.

Miss Moore and Mr Wall lived together in London and Birmingham before moving back to Liverpool four years ago.

Shortly after their return, Miss Moore was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma and was given intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.

She said: “The cancer was discovered in July, 2005. It was a massive shock but I did my best to keep a positive attitude and I believe that’s one of the reasons I got through it so successfully. We’d been talking about getting married but put it on hold.

“Professor Andrew Pettitt and his team at the Royal were amazing. After being in remission for a year, we decided to start planning our wedding again.

“Having it at St George’s Hall is a dream come true.”

Besides running Agent Marketing, Miss Moore is also now a trustee of the Liverpool Sunflower Centre, formerly Liverpool Cancer Support Centre, in Aigburth, where she supports cancer sufferers. After describing herself as “bridezilla” during the run-up to the big day, Miss Moore has now finalised all the arrangements and is looking forward to the party.

She said: “I’d like to thank everyone who has made this possible.”

paulaowens