A COUPLE who attended one of the final weddings at Derby's Council House before it was refurbished have now tied the knot in the new council chamber.
Alex and Andrew Asman were married at a ceremony in the recently revamped landmark on Saturday.
They were the first couple to wed there following the multi-million-pound work.
Beaming bride Alex said: "It was wonderful, a great day. It was a really nice venue and everyone was lovely.
"We actually went to a friend's wedding at the Council House before it was closed for the work.
"I think it was the last one there, so it was nice that they were the last and we were the first."
Alex, a librarian, and Andrew, a civil engineer, were both raised in Derby and met during a night out in the city. Alex said: "We met outside the Blue Note nightclub just as a random meeting and it went from there.
"We both grew up in the city but we had never met before.
"I lived in Normanton but went to Woodlands, in Allestree, and Andrew went to Landau Forte. It was just chance that we met."
Clearly it was meant to be and, seven years later, the pair returned to their native city from their home in Stoke Newington, London, to become hitched.
Alex – previously Alex Kean – said: "Both our families still live in Derby so we decided to get married here. We knew about the Council House because of going there before and it was the only place we looked at."
Alex and Andrew stood at the head of the chamber with guests taking their seats where councillors and members of the public would normally sit.
Following the ceremony, there was a reception at Darley Abbey Village Hall and the couple are honeymooning in the Greek islands.
City council leader Paul Bayliss presented them with a pair of engraved crystal tea-light holders. He said: "I am delighted that Mr and Mrs Asman had such a wonderful wedding at the Council House.
"It was a historic day for them and for the new modernised Council House, which is a beautiful location for weddings in the heart of the city."
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