Northern Ireland’s first same-sex marriage has taken place. Sharni Edwards, 27, and Robyn Peoples, 26, married on their sixth anniversary.
The couple wed at a ceremony in a hotel in Carrickfergus, Co Antrim, on Tuesday afternoon at 2pm. They’d booked a civil partnership ceremony for the date, months before the landmark law change in the region on 13 January 2020 – but decided to turn the event into a wedding ceremony.
Ahead of the wedding, Peoples said the pair wanted to send a message that “we are equal”.
“Our love is personal, but the law which said we couldn’t marry was political,” she said. “We are delighted that with our wedding, we can now say that those days are over.
“While this campaign ends with Sharni and I saying ‘I do’, it started with people saying ‘No’ to inequality. By standing together, we’ve made history.”
Edwards, a waitress from Brighton, didn’t even know the law was different in Northern Ireland until she moved to Belfast from England: “We feel humbled that our wedding is a landmark moment for equal rights in Northern Ireland,” she said. “We didn’t set out to make history – we just fell in love.
“We are so grateful to the thousands of people who marched for our freedoms, to the Love Equality campaign who led the way, and the politicians who voted to change the law.
“Without you, our wedding wouldn’t have been possible. We will be forever thankful.”
Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill, Finance Minister Conor Murphy, Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey and Justice Minister Naomi Long commented ahead of the first same-sex marriage ceremony.
“This day has been a long time coming and is a result of many years of campaigning across these islands,” said Long.
“There have been many campaigns to promote the cause of equal marriage, and while Sharni and Robyn celebrate taking their vows, I have no doubt many others will also be celebrating this milestone in the recognition of equal rights.”
Same-sex marriage was eventually legalised as a result of a law passed last year by Westminster MPs who stepped in and acted on the controversial issue during the powersharing impasse at Stormont.
O’Neill said it was a very good day for those who want to marry the one they love. “So when you’re in love and you want to get married, you now have the ability to do so and that is right and proper,” she said, speaking at Stormont.
“My words for anyone who finds themselves in that situation is ‘be happy’.”