Call for couples to get married at Raymond Terrace festival

Organisers of the event are seeking a couple to be married under the wedding trees in Raymond Terrace during the next festival, which is set to be held on May 21, 2016.

“We are looking for a couple prepared to get married under the historic marriage trees in vintage dress at the festival,” said Kaye Newton from the King Street Preservation and Action Group.

“Getting a bride isn’t the problem – it’s getting a groom to go along with it.

“[We] had a couple of ladies interested last year for this year’s event but their men weren’t so keen on the public wedding idea.”

It is hoped a wedding can be featured at the festival, which celebrates the history and heritage of King Street.

King Street was the original main street and CBD of Raymond Terrace up until the big floods of 1955.

The street features many historic buildings, including some dating back to the 1890’s, and was the filming location for the Australian movie Tomorrow When the War Began in 2010.

The two large fig trees on the river side of the street were used for the earliest weddings in the district, before churches were built in the 1840’s.

Laura and Chris Evans from Raymond Terrace were wed by marriage celebrant Michele Cramp under the historic trees at this year’s festival, which was held on April 18.

Ms Cramp has said she will return to the festival next year if a couple willing to be married was found.

“I think it’s a great thing to have the marriage trees reintroduced back into the community,” Ms Cramp said. “I love marrying people. It’s such a beautiful moment.”

Ms Newton said this year’s festival was a success and hoped more people would get involved next year.

Anyone interested in being married at next year’s festival can email Ms Newton on kayenewton@bigpond.com or phone 4987 7576. For more information, “like” the Save Historic King Street Raymond Terrace Facebook page.