Newlyweds leave wedding venue for Frank Turner gig

Eoin and Katie O'Mara at the venue wearing caps that say 'Bride' and 'Groom'Image source, BBC/Justin Dealey
Image caption,

Eoin O'Mara said their families "thought we were nuts, but were all really helpful"

  • Published

Two Frank Turner fans who left their wedding venue to see the musician play gigs as part of a world record attempt have described it as "a ridiculously good day".

Eoin and Katie O'Mara got married in an outdoor ceremony at South Farm in Royston, Hertfordshire, on Saturday.

On the same day Turner started a world record attempt to perform in 15 different towns within 24 hours, external, which included an appearance at The Crooked Crow Bar in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, at 02:00am BST on the Sunday.

Mr O'Mara said: "We thought what better way to sign off the day than going to a gig?"

Image source, Eoin and Katie O'Mara
Image caption,

Eoin O'Mara said "it's probably in the double digits" when asked how many times he has seen Frank Turner perform live

Tables at the wedding were named after the couple's favourite musicians and the top table was called Frank Turner.

During the celebrations Mr O'Mara, 35, had surprised his wife, 33, with a video message from Turner and his track Photosynthesis was played as the couple walked out the venue.

The couple never expected, when they booked the venue in January 2023, that it would end with a performance from the singer himself.

When it was announced Turner would be playing so close by Mr O'Mara recalled it felt "like the universe is telling us to go and do this"

Mrs Owen said the songwriter was "one of our combined favourite artists so we had to do it to make our wedding memorable."

Image source, Eoin and Katie O'Mara
Image caption,

Mrs O'Mara changed out of her dress before heading to the music venue

The newlywed couple, from Hoddesdon in Hertfordshire, got a 45-minute taxi from their venue as soon as their own party finished.

During the gig the pair wore matching baseball caps which said "Bride" and "Groom".

Mrs O'Mara had to change out of her dress as the long and heavy train "would be a trip hazard", but her new husband remained in his outfit.

Her husband added: "It was a ridiculously good day and we couldn't have capped it any better, it's so unique."

The couple got back to their wedding venue in Hertfordshire at about 04:00am and went to sleep before waking up for breakfast with their friends and families.

Image source, Eoin and Katie O'Mara
Image caption,

Before they knew Turner would be playing the couple had already named a table after him

Turner took part in the record attempt in support of the Music Venue Trust.

A share of money raised during the shows was given to the charity to aid grass root music venues.

The first performance took place at Jacaranda Baltic, Livepool, and the final show was at The Brook in Southampton.

After completing the attempt Turner posted on Instagram, external: "Proud. Tired. Grateful. Long live independent music."

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