Tying the knot at St Mary’s Church, Bolton on Swale in the Yorkshire Dales this week were five year old Theo and 6 year old Emma – thought to be the youngest couple ever to be married in the Church of England! At least, they would have been if the wedding had been real and not part of the school curriculum.
The service for school year 1 and 2 pupils from St Mary’s CofE Primary School, Bolton on Swale was ‘amazingly realistic’, with hymns, a wedding certificate, a best man and bridesmaids, a 
wedding cake, wedding outfits and even a genuine vicar to officiate!
Bringing the lesson alive for the pupils was the Revd Yvonne Callaghan, Vicar of Easby with Skeeby, Brompton on Swale and 
Bolton on Swale. Yvonne led the service, explaining as it went along what each part meant, and said afterwards that it had been a great experience for the pupils.
“This was part of understanding why we celebrate and come to church at special times in our lives," said Yvonne. "We had a bride, groom, best man, bridesmaids, matron of honour, mum and dad of the bride and of the groom and lots of friends to share the celebration of marriage before God with.
“We sang Jubilate and Wonderful World. We also had a reading from 1 Corinthians 13, which spoke of love.”