THIS is the lucky couple that became the first to get married in Newport’s brand new registry office.

Andrew and Sarah Buchanan, both 31, tied the knot at the Newport Mansion House at 2pm on Friday afternoon.

Mr Buchanan, who have been together for two years and live in the Gaer, said: “We feel privileged. It will be nice to look back in years to come to know that we were the first here,” he said.

The couple initially didn’t know the marriage would take place there, having booked the ceremony at the registry office as normal.

“It was a nice surprise for us,” Mr Buchanan said. “It blew us away. ”

Mr and Mrs Buchanan (nee Hancocke) were married in the ceremony rooms on the ground floor before having photos taken on the balcony upstairs and out on the law.

The couple were then whisked away to Cwrt Bleddyn in Usk for their reception, and are heading off to Mexico for their honeymoon.

Previously the residence of the city’s mayor, the Stow Park Circle building has been renovated at a cost of around £500,000.

The building includes a spiral staircase with a stained glass window at the top, as well as a natural amphitheatre outside where friends and family can pose for pictures with the bride and groom.

During the week the building will also be used for the registration of births and deaths, with a lift to help people to get to the offices on the first floor.

Super-intendent registrar Shan Jenkins, whose team moved in for the first time yesterday, said the new building was much larger than the old Gold Tops offices, and that the balcony and the staircase would be available for pictures during the weekends when births and deaths registrations are not taken.

“We’re very fortunate that we’re able to use it,” she added.