Insurance saved our wedding
Richard and Katie
Katie and Richard Reeves got married in St John’s Church in Boxmoor, Hertfordshire, but only just!
Three days before their big day the church had a fire in the vestry and the building was badly smoke damaged. Sadly, the fire had been started deliberately.
The Vicar, the Revd James Reveley said, ‘Only a combination of the quick thinking local residents and swift arrival of the fire brigade saved the church from being burned to the ground. When the fire brigade arrived the flames were already licking the roof beams.’
Carpets in the church had melted in places where shards of red hot stained glass had fallen, and the vestry was ruined. Fortunately, the church was insured and an emergency clean-up team were called out by Ecclesiastical Insurance the morning after the fire.
The Vicar describes how the team cleaned a ‘mucky film of smoke damage’ which clung to the walls. They also cleaned all the woodwork and carpets (twice) and got rid of the terrible smell that the fire had left. The church was ready for the wedding rehearsal 24 hours later.
Katie’s mum said that she and her husband live right across the road from the church, so they were aware of the fire as soon as it happened.
She said, ‘We were obviously very worried that this would ruin the wedding plans, but the church assured us that the insurers and cleaners were already working on the church and were going to do everything in their power to ensure the wedding went ahead.'
Since the cleaning team worked so quickly and the wedding went ahead as planned, there was no need for Katie and Richard to claim on their own wedding insurance.
Katie added, ‘I grew up in Boxmoor and as child always dreamt of getting married at St Johns Church. We were truly grateful to the Vicar who made us all feel at ease and conducted a wonderful service. In all it was a beautiful day set in beautiful surroundings – we were blessed.’
James said, ‘We didn’t want to let the couple down, so were very thankful the insurers saved the day.’
Did You Know ?
There are now 'Pocket Prayers' for marriage proposals. Read more
The Church offers family-friendly weddings for couples with children. Read more
Less than £350 is all you need to marry in church
You don't have to be christened to get married in church
You don't have to marry in white
Marriage is good for your sex life