A BRIDE wore a bespoke library-themed wedding dress to reflect the history of the restaurant she owns with her now-husband.

Shelley Walker and Paul Smith moved their café and restaurant, The Potting Shed, from Monmouth to an office building in Whitchurch in March last year.

After having issues with gaining a change of use, they have now been trading for 18 months and have gained in popularity.

Their restaurant has a 19th century library theme based on the building's past.

The new Mrs Smith said: "Lucy Panter back in the 1880s-ish had this room built as Reading Rooms and a Coffee House for the village of Whitchurch.

"She was the honorary secretary of the local Church of England Temperance Society. According to copy documents I have, she was keen to keep the young men from frequenting The Crown Inn.

"Allegedly she closed it down when she came back to find the occupants burning the furniture to keep warm!"

Inspired by the library theme, she decided to base her wedding dress around books with book spines sewn into the bodice.

They married at Hereford Town Hall and then went back to The Potting Shed for the reception with 20 guests.

Mrs Smith said: "Deciding to marry after 17 years of being together is, we like to think, the icing on the cake, and besides, I wanted to make sure that he could cook first."