Image for Thrifty couple choose a charity shop for their ‘shiny, sustainable wedding’

Thrifty couple choose a charity shop for their ‘shiny, sustainable wedding’

A Manchester couple's charity shop wedding only cost £200, covering a secondhand dress, wedding rings, naan breads and soft drinks

A Manchester couple's charity shop wedding only cost £200, covering a secondhand dress, wedding rings, naan breads and soft drinks

Using recently donated church pews and a secondhand wedding dress, charity ‘fanatics’ Nina and Stefan held their wedding at the Emmaus Mossley Secondhand Superstore in Tameside earlier this month.  

The quirky venue formed the “perfect setting”, said the couple with freshly donated church pews and an eclectic mix of dining chairs seating more than 100 guests. The engagement ring, Nina’s earrings, Stefan’s waistcoat, decorations, glassware, crockery and a lot of the guests’ outfits came from Emmaus. 

It meant that the whole celebration on 8 September cost just £200, yet was far from austere, as newlywed Nina told Positive News: “Our wedding day was beyond all expectations. Thanks to everyone at Emmaus Mossley, we were able to have a sustainable wedding, temporarily using all the stuff that’s available within their charity shop to make the most nourishing, wonderful and diverse space. Basically, everything that made our wedding shiny came from their Secondhand Superstore.”

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Thrift-loving Nina and Stefan have shopped together at Emmaus for more than 15 years and volunteered at many of the charity’s events. Following the ceremony, the wedding party continued at nearby creative arts venue The Vale, the Northern Carnival Centre for Excellence. 

“I’d say our wedding cost around £200 and that covered my secondhand dress, two wedding rings, Stefan’s outfit, naan breads, orange juice and lemonade,” said Nina. 

“I could never put a price on our wedding though because it was only made possible by the time and effort given freely by the people at Emmaus Mossley and The Vale, along with the generosity of family and friends with their wonderful contributions of homemade cakes and lovely shared dishes of food in the evening. You can only get to have a wedding like that by being part of a really strong community and by having some amazing friends.” 


Our wedding day was beyond all expectations. Thanks to everyone at Emmaus Mossley, we were able to have a sustainable wedding 

Emmaus Mossley supports people who have experienced homelessness by providing them with a home, companionship, tailored support and work opportunities. The charity’s Secondhand Superstore sells furniture, fashion, books, music and bric-a-brac alongside handmade and upcycled items. 

Hazel Hodkinson, retail manager at Emmaus Mossley, said: “Nina and Stefan’s wedding was such a lovely event and a real honour for our community to host. This is the first time in our charity’s 27-year history that we’ve held a wedding, and we believe it may be the first wedding in a UK charity shop too.” 

All income raised from the shop is used by the charity to sustain its 26-bedroom community and the support given to people who live there. Items bought from the store pay for food, energy costs, tailored support and training, helping people on the journey away from homelessness.

Images: Zuza Grubecka

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