The first same-sex marriage in Chester took place today (Saturday, April 19).

Since March 27, gay and lesbian couples in England and Wales who wish to have a wedding rather than a civil partnership, have been able to have one, following controversial legislation by the Government that was passed last summer.

The new law means Sally Griffiths, 28, has been able to marry her long-term partner, 26-year-old mechanic Jenna Peters at Chester Register Office today, after a six year courtship.

The couple, who live in Wrexham, have celebrated a small, intimate wedding before renewing their vows in a bigger ceremony next year, as Sally is just weeks away from giving birth to the couple’s first child, conceived after IVF treatment.

Sally, an NHS receptionist at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, told The Chronicle before the big day : “To be honest, we just wanted a small ceremony this time and do it properly next year because I want to be able to have a drink and wear a nice dress - all of that.

“It’s very exciting to be the first in Chester, and lovely that we can be treated equally and be known as wife and wife in a real wedding ceremony.

“We’ve been to quite a few civil ceremonies and they’ve all been lovely and very intimate but there’s no real sense of romance, it’s very short and sweet and not as personal as a wedding.

“It will be lovely to have the whole ‘kiss the bride’ thing.”

Sally, who is expecting a baby girl, added: “We love Chester so we’re very happy to have the wedding here. “Although we live in Wrexham, we spend a lot of time here. We chose the registry office because we’re not really ‘church’ people.

“Chester is a beautiful, picturesque city and we’re hoping it’ll be a lovely day.”