Justin and Richard's Big Gay Flashmob wedding (their words, not mine!)
My first wedding was incredible - literally a dream come true!
One amazing couple. One iconic location.
Hundreds of awesome guests.
Let me tell you all about it...
Photo: Sonia Oliver
Engagement Photo credit: Sam Frank Wood
Justin and Richard were engaged in June 2023, at Queens Heath Pride Festival on York Road in Kings Heath, Birmingham. It was a very public proposal - they took to the stage in front of hundreds of people, including the founder of Queen's Heath Pride, Joe Lycett!
Justin went down on one knee, Richard said yes, and the crowd went wild!
I was sheltering from the rain outside The Hare And Hounds when I saw these two strangers make the ultimate declaration of love. As a trainee celebrant, I thought how amazing it would be to conduct their ceremony, but didn't give it a second thought.
And then...
And then, out of the blue, in November, Richard contacted me about their upcoming big gay wedding. They were getting married in June 2024, and their venue - the Kitchen Garden Café in Kings Heath - had recommended my celebrant services.
Imagine my glee! We met to discuss their vision for the wedding ceremony - a 'flashmob' type event, out in the street, in full public view, in the heart of our wonderful community, affectionately known as the 'Gaybourhood.'
Justin and Richard wanted to exchange vows on York Road – the same spot where Richard had said ‘YES!’ at Queens Heath Pride.
Several meetings followed, and we realized that our paths had already crossed – Richard was in the audience at Late Night Lycett when I won the car! Not only that, but shortly before we met, Justin was on an opposing team at a Doctor Who quiz I’d attended with my boyfriend Phil.
Kings Heath is a very small world! Justin and Richard were no longer strangers to me, but friends.
There then followed a lot of form filling, emails, and phone calls to ensure that I was conducting the wedding ceremony legally and with full permission to use the highway. It turns out you can’t just rock up and have a party in the middle of the street, even if it is closed to traffic!
Photo credit: Assassynation
The wedding day was far from typical – instead of the traditional structure of a wedding ceremony first, followed by the reception and speeches, Justin and Richard chose an intimate reception and speeches at the Kitchen Garden Café before the ceremony. This was followed by an after-party and disco at Fletchers. The whole day felt informal and relaxed, with friends and family sharing many special moments.
Photo credit: Assassynation
As a last-minute addition, Skylarks choir opened the wedding ceremony on York Road. I’ve been a member of Skylarks for years, and my friend and co-member Sue suggested to Justin and Richard that we could perform at the wedding. We performed “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”, “Celebrati on” and “Love Is In The Air.” It certainly was!
Video credit: Glenn Gentry
After that fantastic opening, I welcomed the crowd and asked them to make way for Justin and Richard. The street party was in full swing!
Photo credit: Assassynation
Then it was time for the main event! Justin and Richard processed up York Road to ‘Little Britain’ by Dreadzone, accompanied by the cheers of the crowd.
Photo credit: Sonia Oliver
I told Justin and Richard's story – including the famous proposal – and they exchanged vows in a very moving wedding ceremony. Before the vows, I read a quote about love and marriage from Doctor Who (Justin is a big fan; Richard not so much!)
Photo credit: Assassynation
Then it was time for the newlyweds to process back along York Road, through the confetti tunnel, to the sounds of “We Are Family”, “It Feels Like I’m In Love” and “All The Lovers.”
After that, we partied the night away at Fletchers, with pizza from Poli.
The wedding ceremony was a wonderful occasion, full of love, joy, and laughter. As a celebrant, part of my role is to hold space and allow for moments of silence and reflection, especially during poignant and moving moments. Another part is to bring some energy and get the crowd cheering and celebrating!
I couldn’t have wished for a better first wedding ceremony. Justin and Richard are an amazing couple and it was a joy to work with them.
To be able to conduct their big gay wedding in the heart of our community, surrounded by well-wishers, was a real privilege. Even the weather behaved itself! Thank you, Justin and Richard, for choosing me as your celebrant and for being utterly wonderful.
Photo credit: Richard Radnor Williams (SELFIEEEEEEEEE!)
Thank you to the following suppliers who helped make the day so special:
Venue: Kitchen Garden Café and Fletchers
Catering: Sadies Kitchen
Florists: Whoops A Daisy
Balloons: Balloon Away
Choir: Skylarks
Pizza: Poli
Photographers: Assassynation and Sonia Oliver
DJs: Fletchers No 7 DJs
Stage and PA: ACE PA hire
A special thanks also goes to Matt Powell from Kings Heath BID, Councillor Lisa Trickett, Birmingham City Council and West Midlands Police for their invaluable support with logistics.