Skip to main content

Newlyweds mark wedding day at indie bookshop where they had first date


A couple who had their first date at an Oxford bookshop made a return visit on their wedding day this week.

Avid readers Janine, 24, and Joe Shuter, 37, surprised staff at Blackwell’s bookshop shortly after tying the knot yesterday, with their wedding photographer Lucy Judson capturing the moment.

“For us, Blackwell’s means everything,” Janine told PA Wires.

“It is history, and because it is local – and don’t get me wrong, we still shop at Amazon, it’s about what you can afford – but we know how important local bookshops are.

“We really wanted to make sure we found some sort of way, even on a Covid-restricted wedding day, to give back, by spending money at a local bookshop.”

Newlyweds mark wedding day at indie bookshop where they had first date
The newlyweds returned to Blackwell’s on their big day. (Image PA Wires)

The couple, who met through work six years ago and who have an 880-strong collection of books, asked their wedding guests for vouchers, which they used to buy more books – including Romeo And Juliet.

“That first date was really special because we had both grown up with a massive love of literacy, even though we are both dyslexic. We both love local bookshops, sitting in and having a cup of coffee. It felt only right to include it on our wedding day,” Janine said.

She added: “We walked in like it was completely normal, and it took the staff behind the till about 10 seconds before they realised.

“It was really lovely. The manager of the store, she came and spoke to us and was so happy, and my father-in-law told me that after she spoke to us, she broke down in tears because she was so happy.

“I just felt so lucky, and really grateful.”

Newlyweds mark wedding day at indie bookshop where they had first date
Janine & Joe Shuter had their first date at Blackwell’s 5 years ago. (Image: Lucy Judson/PA Wires)

Staff at the store gifted them some books, an “old-fashioned blank book” and even gave the newlyweds a discount on their purchases, before letting them take photos in the shop.

Bookseller Charlie Bush said: “The wedding day visit from the newlyweds completely made our day here at Blackwell’s.

“We were so delighted that they spent some of their special day with us and picked up lots of books as wedding presents.

“Janine and Joe had their first date at Blackwell’s five years ago so it was so lovely for us to welcome them back on their big day.

“Our Broad Street shop has been the site of many dates and even a number of proposals over the years, so it was a real delight for wedding day celebrations to visit our bookshop this week.

“Books and reading are real personal passions and there’s no better place for a first date than a bookshop – who knows where it might lead?”

with PA Wires

Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter

The post Newlyweds mark wedding day at indie bookshop where they had first date appeared first on Retail Gazette.



from Retail Gazette https://ift.tt/3fuM7I3
via IFTTT

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Eagle Labs launches impirica CBD brand

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Eagle Labs has launched impirica, a new brand of CBD intended to eliminate consumer fear, and increase confidence, in trying the exciting new cannabidiol category. Michael Law Although most Americans have now heard about CBD, many are very confused and concerned about product quality. This is inhibiting trial in the category and holding back conversion into sales. In fact, a 2017 study by Johns Hopkins University found that two out of three CBD products on the shelf did not contain the amount of CBD reflected on the label. Furthermore, in 2018 and 2019, the FDA sent notices to a substantial number of CBD manufacturers advising them of serious concerns about product quality or egregious medical claims. The impirica brand looks different than most CBD brands — the brand name itself connotes testing and trust, says Eagle Labs chief commercial officer Michael Law. “It doesn’t use the traditional category colors of browns and greens, and you won’t find a hemp...

Coronavirus Recovery: Canadian Small Businesses Must Focus on Easing Employee, Customer Fears

By M. Tina Dacin and Laura Rees A small business has been  given the green light to reopen amid the COVID-19 pandemic . What does it need to consider for employees and customers? Small business owners are reorganizing physical space to account for continued distancing requirements and rethinking supply chains to deliver products and services in new ways to meet changing demand patterns. But they must not forget the hearts and minds of employees and customers. That doesn’t mean replacing a focus on the bottom line, but it helps address the need for a new set of expectations and ways of communicating in terms of product or service offerings, delivery methods and real-time feedback. Based on our expertise in organizational behaviour and past research we’ve conducted, we provide a set of recommendations to help small businesses thrive in our new COVID-19 economy by looking after the hearts and minds of the people most important to businesses — employees and customers. Fear, Anxi...

World's 1st Pizza Subscription Service Launches in Toronto

general assembly subscription user opening delivery box of pizza. photo: general assembly pizza By Mario Toneguzzi Toronto-based General Assembly Pizza has launched what it describes as the world’s first pizza subscription service as it also plans to aggressively expand its product offering in the near future by opening a new concept in the market. "Since opening our doors in 2017, we have pushed for the best guest-experience possible — that's why our dough is 100 percent naturally leavened, that's why we have a purpose-built 400-square-foot pick-up and delivery area, and that's why we’ve launched a direct-to-consumer subscription-based ecommerce platform,” said Founder & CEO Ali Khan Lalani. “In 2020, providing the best guest experience means General Assembly Pizza has to be more than a restaurant. I'm proud to say that after almost six months of planning, many roadblocks, and countless pivots — all while maintaining our day-to-day restaurant operatio...