All weddings are special but when Jane Ridley marries Nigel Griffiths at the tiny church of St John's Church, The Buckholt, this Saturday, it will be something of a unique occasion.

A regular worshipper at St John's where the congregation numbers just six or seven, Jane was anxious that the church should be the venue for their wedding.

But two obstacles stood in their way - the church wasn't licensed for weddings, and the couple were both divorced.

"We had to apply to the Archbishop of Canterbury for a special licence, and as we're also both divorced, we weren't sure whether a licence would be granted," Jane told the Beacon.

To the couple's delight, they were given the go ahead - but then ran up against the problem of finding an organ.

"St John's has got two - but neither work very well," said Jane, who began searching far and wide for an organ to hire.

"I was on the point of giving up and thinking let's have our wedding at another church when I got home to find a letter from Margaret and Eric, two of the congregation at St John's, saying they were so excited and looking forward to it. I showed the letter to Nigel and our faith was restored!"

Fortunately, the problem of an organ was solved too when St Thomas' Church, Overmonnow, offered to lend their manual organ to the couple for their special day.

Finding an organist was not a problem as the couple's friend, Julian Riley, was available to play. He has also composed processional and recessional music for the occasion.

"We feel quite honoured to have been granted a licence, it's quite special to us as I believe we're only the second couple to be married in St John's since the church opened on October 12th, 1889" said Jane, "the other wedding was of a Captain Colledge to a lady called Gwen.

" And it might be the last time St John's will be used for a wedding. We thought that this little church and everyone who goes there deserved a wedding."

Jane and Nigel met just over two years ago and live at Mary Du Bohan Close in Monmouth. Nigel works as a loading bay co-ordinator at Pontrilas and Jane is a PA for a company called Angelic Hen at Wyastone Business Park.