MOST British brides are nervous about the weather on their big day – be it summer or winter – but Sophie Brown clearly was no ordinary wife-to-be.

The 21-year-old defied convention and the odds by celebrating her marriage to fiance Ben Davies, 24, outside and in sunshine at Queenswood Country Park on Saturday.

The Hereford pair spent an hour in the appropriately titled Autumn Garden following a legal ceremony at the town hall, while Sophie herself shrugged off the seasonal chill in a classic off-theshoulder gown and feathered cape.

IT consultant Ben, who works for county firm Wyvern Business Systems, said: “Sophie really wanted an autumn wedding so we thought we’d ask if we could have a gathering up there, and they had no licence but said we could still have a ceremony, so we just went for it.”

“We just really, really hoped for it and luckily it worked out,” he added.

The couple came from Hereford by Cadillac and had plenty of time to enjoy readings, speeches and even a glass of bubbly before rain inevitably came and guests retreated to the Wellington pub nearby, where Sophie works as second chef.

“We didn’t mind if it was cold as long as it wasn’t wet, although I did have to write three different speeches depending on what kind of weather it was,” Ben admitted.

The new Mr and Mrs Davies were set for warmer climes on their honeymoon, however, and were due to leave their Broomy Hill home for Cyprus a few days after the wedding.