A gay couple from Braintree will be getting married in a theatrical extravaganza this weekend.

Groom and groom - Michael Dawe and Stephen Kuta, who are tying the knot tomorrow. Picture: ADRIAN RUSHTON (47488-2)

The pair, of Braintree Green in Rayne, will be tying the knot at Hedingham Castle tomorrow in one of the first ceremonies of its kind in the Braintree district.

Stephen Kuta, 27, and Michael Dawe, 28, who met two years ago at Chicago nightclub, Chelmsford, are theming the ceremony on their favourite West End musical, The Phantom of the Opera.

The couple, who both work at Tesco in Great Notley, wanted to be one of the first to take advantage of a recent law change to allow the registration of civil partnerships.

The ceremony, watched by more than 80 people, will involve petals being scattered at their feet and a professional singer performing their favourite musical numbers.

Afterwards, they will be holding their reception at The Essex Cricketers Pub in Great Notley.

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Published Friday, January 27, 2006

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