Smiths superfans Joy Ainsley and Dean Baylin were married at Salford Lads Club on Sunday, April 30th, making them the the first couple to be married at the iconic Salford venue.
The Ainsley-Baylins booked the venue, which is now fully registered and licensed to hold weddings, civil partnerships, civil services and vow renewals, back in October 2020.
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Having got engaged last year at the club, the couple were scheduled to get married in May, prior to Covid restrictions that postponed the big day until June.
As lifelong fans of The Smiths, the Harrogate couple have, to date, seen Morrissey perform live 33 times.
As well as booking The Lottery Winners, who were set to perform the classic Smiths song There Is A Light That Never Will Go Out at the wedding ceremony, Joy and Dean also commemorated the nuptials with matching tattoos of the club’s logo.
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First opened in 1903, the Edwardian red brick construction on the corner of St Ignatius Walk and Coronation Street, in Ordsall, first opened as a hub for working class youngsters, offering sports, art, and education.
The club gained traction with music fans internationally, following the use of the venue as the backdrop for Stephen Wrights photography for The Smiths 1986 album “The Queen is Dead”.
The 3,810 sq. foot listed venue now serves as sports courts, and a concert hall, alongside an original billiards room, snooker and games rooms, a boxing gym, and a designated “Smiths Room” – created in 2004 in response to demand from fans who made the pilgrimage to the location.
The nature of the venue allows it to be tailored to couples’ requirements to create the full wedding experience, be it Smiths themed or otherwise!
The club is set to host its second wedding ever, this week, with likely many more couples to follow suit.
The club provides tours for visitors, and stock a range of ‘Salford Lads Club’ merchandise, details are available at www.salfordladsclub.org.uk
Wedding enquiries are to be sent to salfordladsclubweddings@scll.co.uk and updates on the club are available via their wedding specific Instagram.
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