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TV star Anna Richardson marries couple at Victoria Leeds to celebrate Leeds Pride
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| Credit: Bevan Cockerill Photography and Design |
As the street of Leeds were awash with rainbow colours with Pride Leeds, Victoria Leeds was converted navy and burgundy as it became the venue for a special Pride wedding.
Last month (July 2019), Victoria Leeds launched an exciting competition to find the perfect couple to get married to celebrate Leeds Pride. Victoria Leeds was inundated with hopefuls, but ultimately it was Ryan Clay and Ben Bagshaw who warmed the judge's hearts and won the money-can't-buy wedding.
After seeing the competition online for Victoria Leeds' Love Wins, Ryan entered, never thinking for a minute that he would win. In his competition entry, Ryan said: "Ben and I have been together almost 14 years and engaged for almost 13 years. Various things have happened in our lives since that and have put a wedding on the back burner. I think Ben thinks that I have completely forgotten about or I'm not interested in a wedding, as we have now been together so long, but it's actually the opposite. It would be amazing to surprise him with a wedding to finally commit to our love after all these years and look forward to our futures as best friends, soulmates and husbands!"
The ceremony took place under a rainbow coloured floral archway and was conducted by TV host and equal rights advocate, Anna Richardson. With a navy and burgundy theme throughout and a string quartet playing, the happy couple were finally (after 14 years) pronounced husband and husband.
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| Credit: Bevan Cockerill Photography and Design |
Anna Richardson said: "I am delighted that I have had the privilege of marrying Ryan and Ben in today's special ceremony. Your wedding is a day to remember but getting married on the same day as Leeds Pride is quite literally the icing on the (wedding) cake!"
The wedding prize included everything that you would dream of for the perfect wedding, including:
· Ceremony in the Victoria Quarter, hosted by Anna Richardson
· 3 course meal for 20 at The Ivy
· Champagne reception at Harvey Nichols
· Designer suits from Hawes & Curtis and shoes from Jeffery West
· Make-up and fragrance from Tom Ford, Harvey Nichols
· Flowers from Stems Design
· Pre wedding facials at Liz Earle
· Rings from Phillip Stoner
· Wedding favours from Kiehl's and Charbonnel et Walker
· After party at the Victoria Gate Casino
· Travel to the venue in Rolls-Royce Phantom, provided by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Leeds
· Wedding gifts from various Victoria Leeds retailers, including Aspinal of London and Gant
Jo Coburn, general manager at Victoria Leeds said: "This is the first wedding that has taken place at Victoria Leeds, and it was such a huge honour to be able to host the wedding for Ben and Ryan. As huge supporters of gay rights and equal marriage, every year Victoria Leeds likes to do something special to show support for Leeds Pride. We would like to thank our wonderful retailers who have come together to offer such a wonderful lifetime experience for Ryan and Ben."
Visit www.victorialeeds.co.uk
