BEING directed into the dock, prosecutor's bench and jury and witness boxes are probably the last things most guests would expect when arriving for a wedding.
But, that is what happened at Usk's Sessions House yesterday for the wedding of Donna Murray, from Usk and Josh Davies, from Newport, both 27.
It was the first marriage at the historic building's court room which reopened last month following a 12 year restoration programme which cost £200,000.
The couple decided to marry after being together for 10 nearly and thought the court room would be a perfect location.
The new Mrs Davies said: "Neither of us are religious and wanted something unusual, not a church. We both studied archeology at university and after we heard the Sessions House had applied for a license, we thought it would be perfect."
The couple got married in front of the Judge's desk but didn't tell the 65 guests where they would be seated. Mrs Davies added: "There was a list on the door telling people if they would be in the dock, solicitors, juries or witnesses area and we had an usher directing them."
After the ceremony, warehouse worker Mrs Davies and her husband, a bingo hall manager, enjoyed a drinks reception in the library, which contains thousands of books, some dating back to the 1600s.
Then there was a meal at Usk's British Legion before they drove to Lancaster en-route to a honeymoon in Scotland.
The Sessions House was built in 1877 and designed by Thomas Wyatt, containing two courts.
High-profile cases heard there included the prosecution of Viscountess Rhondda, a prominent suffragette, and the trial of Josef Garcia, who was convicted of the murder of a family of five in Llangibby.
Court one was gutted by fire in 1944 and not rebuilt.
Councillor Roger Galletley called the refurbished court 2 "unique, the only truly authentic Victorian court room left in Britain".
Locals raised over £100,000, with a £90,000 National Lottery grant and £5,000 from Monmouthshire council paying for repairs.
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