‘I do!’ Residents at St Vincent’s House renew wedding vows

Home news

Jun 04, 2018

A couple renewed their wedding vows at St Vincent’s House in the lead up to the royal wedding.  

There was romance in the air for residents at St Vincent’s House when they celebrated the renewal of two residents’ vows, and were joined by the local community to mark the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.  

Residents Luigi and Maria Carmine had been inspired by the royal nuptials to celebrate their own happy marriage. The couple,who live together at the care home, renewed their wedding vows in the home’s tea shop, where they were joined by fellow residents and friends for the special occasion. 

To honour the special celebrations, the home was decorated with union jack bunting, and residents had their British flags and hats at the ready as they watched a live screening of the wedding and raised a glass to Luigi and Maria, and the royal couple. 

Luigi and Maria, aged 89 and 85, married in St Ann’s Church in London, on the 8th November 1982, after meeting at a hotel in Marylebone, London, where Maria worked as a housekeeper and Luigi as a chef.

Seasoned globetrotters, Luigi and Maria travelled the world together in their youth, visiting Switzerland, France, Germany and Spain, where Maria was born. When asked the secret to a long and happy marriage, Luigi said: “Getting on with each other and being fair to each other.”

Ian D Chandler, home manager at St Vincent’s House, said: “We had a fantastic time celebrating the royal wedding, and it was an honour to host Luigi and Maria’s vow renewal after 35 years of marriage. 

“Marking such a special occasion at the home allowed many of the residents to reminisce and share fond memories of their own wedding days. 

“We would like to say a big thank you to the people of Hammersmith for helping us make the day extra special.”