UK couple first to tie the knot on a train in Alderney after married law relaxed

A UK couple has become the first to marry on the Channel Islands' only railway line.

Paul Baldwin and Katie Gatt are from the Lake District and tied the knot on Thursday 30 May while riding a train in Alderney.

The island changed its marriage laws in 2021 as they were considered outdated and did not meet the requirements of modern society.

The simplified process allowed people to tie the knot in almost any location, including on the island's beaches and in hotels.

The couple picked Alderney as their wedding destination after Katie regularly holidayed there as a child and she had revisited the island with Paul.

They decided they wanted to do something unconventional to get hitched.

The guests arrived at Alderney's railway station around lunchtime and ITV News was given exclusive access to film the special day.

After the ceremony, the newlyweds travelled with family and friends on the train to Quarry, before returning to a local hotel for the reception.

Katie said: "We never wanted to be very traditional when we got married so it just seemed like the perfect location."

Paul added having the wedding in Alderney was "absolutely brilliant".

Civil Celebrant Annabell Finding officiated over the wedding and hopes the freedom given by the new marriage laws will attract more visitors to the island.

She explained: "It's so good for Alderney because the people who have come over as guests and have never been here before have already booked to come back.

"I have wedding bookings on the beach, in Victorian forts, in the Roman fort at the nunnery but this beats it all so far."

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