BIRTHDAYS do you get more memorable than this - especially when it is tying the knot in front of a group of Morris dancing groups.

Nicola John - formerly Gundy - married Gareth on her 50th birthday yesterday at St Mary’s Church in Croesyceiliog.

To mark the big occasion, more than 30 Morris dancers - which is a type of folk dancing based on stepping to music with scarves and sticks, usually wearing bells pads on their shins - flocked to the 20th century church.

Reverend Frieda Evans officiated at the wedding, who said: “We have come to witness the marriage of Nicola and John and to pray for them.

“Marriage is a gift from God.”

Mrs John described the joyous day as “wonderful”.

“It is lovely to see so many people here,” said the retired teacher.

“The weather is lovely too - what more could I ask for.”

She added: “I found out recently that Morris dancers would be coming.

“I had thought it was going to be a small wedding. I was shocked when I found out from my husband.”

Dr John said he had invited the dancers because he had been involved with them for more than 20 years.

He said: “I play the fiddle in a local Morris dancing group. They have been a big part in my life.

“I knew that they had to come for this special day.

“I invited a lot of Morris groups to come to St Mary’s.”

Following the service, crowds of people made their way to the lawn to watch a entertaining performance by various Morris dancing groups.

Brian Cox, who is a member of the ISCA group, said he was “pleased” to make the day.

“It has been a lovely, lovely day,” he said.

“Gareth has been with us for many years and we knew that we had to come out for this special occasion.”

Another Morris dancer, Giles Mcdonald, said the performance had only been his “second”.

“I have not been a Morris dancer for all that long,” said the 46-year-old.

“I got into it through my friends. I had never met Nicola or Gareth before but I wanted to support them as best I could.

“They have had the ultimate performance from a good bunch of Morris dancers.”