Newlyweds celebrate at town's May Day funfair

A newly-married couple swapped a traditional wedding reception for a trip to the fair - with many of their guests joining them on the rides.

Faye and Adam Chandler, from Ilkley, West Yorkshire, tied the knot on Saturday before heading to the fair, which is held to mark the town's carnival on May Day bank holiday each year.

The wedding party walked from the ceremony at All Saints Church to the fairground at East Holmes Field, before the bride changed into her wellies and joined her husband and son on the rollercoasters and dodgems.

Faye said they wanted to "keep it fun, keep it for everyone, and do something a bit different" - but above all, to remember what getting married is all about.

The couple, who are both 32, said they liked the idea of staying in their local area and having an eco-friendly day, with no need for cars or unnecessary travel.

Faye, who works in a jeweller's in Ilkley, said: "When we got engaged, we always knew that we wanted something quite small and intimate.

"So we got married at All Saints Church... and because the carnival was there that weekend, we thought, well, instead of having an after-party or a reception, we'll just go down there."

They were joined by seven-year-old Billy, Faye's son and Adam's stepson, who said his favourite part of the day was the fair - especially the caterpillar ride.

The couple have recently bought a house, so also wanted to keep costs down.

"We knew it wasn't going to be over-the-top, and didn't want to spend a ridiculous amount of money and we wondered what we could do to make it quite personal as well.

"So we both just decided we'd go to the church that we love and we thought we'll just walk down to the fair and we'll ask them if it's okay, and that way we can keep it all local."

The family enjoyed the fair but missed the annual carnival this year - with good reason, as they have headed off to enjoy a honeymoon at Disneyland Paris.

The theme park is a "special place" for their fairground-loving family, and they have visited several times before.

Ilkley Carnival is a not-for-profit event which is put together each year by a team of volunteers.

The main event is the carnival parade, in which local schools and community groups dress up to walk through the town before congregating at the showground for family-friendly shows, events and the funfair.

Chair of Ilkley Carnival, Andrew Stacey, said: "Faye contacted me a few weeks ago and asked... if the fair was open on the Saturday, on their wedding day.

"I mentioned to the fair about Faye and Adam getting married and they offered them some free vouchers for the rides.

"It was a fantastic day – and had they not been going away on honeymoon today, we would have asked them to take part in the parade and judge the best in show."

Instead, the happy couple have been invited back next year to travel on a bus with the carnival VIPs and join the judges in choosing their carnival award-winners.

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