In July 1999 Rye Town Hall’s application for a wedding venue licence was granted and the first couple to be married there on July 23 was Roland and Andrea Jung, from Düren, in Germany. They had often visited Rye and were friends with Owen and Barbara Piper, owners of the Windmill. Rye was a special place for them, made even more special as it was the place where they tied the knot.
There was a family discussion with their sons Jan and Alexander about returning to Rye to celebrate the silver wedding anniversary in July 2024. Plans were set in motion but little did the parents know that their sons had come up with a very special idea to make the visit more memorable. They contacted Jessica Neame at the Town Hall and explained the story of their parents’ marriage and asked if they might be allowed to bring them inside the Town Hall to re-live special memories. Jessica added to their surprise by asking Paul Goring, The Town Crier, to make a special cry, which he did, including some parts in German.
Andrea and Roland were so happy and loved their surprise and after a visit to the Chamber where photos were taken the family stood outside the Town Hall and threw confetti on the happy couple, ending the day with a flourish.
Jessica commented after the event: “We were so pleased to welcome Roland and Andrea back to the Town Hall to celebrate their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary! In 1999, we hosted just three wedding ceremonies. Rye Town Hall now plays host to sixty to seventy ceremonies each year and we are on track for one of our busiest this year. The beautiful Chamber, where ceremonies are held, and the unique services of the Town Crier are more popular than ever!
Paul Goring said: “It was an absolute pleasure to meet Roland and Andrea and their family. Rye Town Hall is a very special place to hold your wedding ceremony, and it was Mr and Mrs Jung who first set the ball rolling! They are a lovely couple and I felt privileged to Cry for their Silver Wedding Anniversary at the very place where they married.”
To find out more about getting married at Rye Town Hall, please visit our website: https://ryetowncouncil.gov.uk/town-hall/ceremonies/
Image Credits: Kt bruce .
Thank you everyone at Rye for this wonderful ceremony. We are very grateful to have been able to be there.