Belfast couple ‘excited’ to have first same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland  

‘It’s a big day for us, but an even bigger day for equal rights in Northern Ireland’ – Sharni Edwards

Media opportunity: the couple will be available for pictures and short statements after their wedding ceremony on Tuesday 11 February. 

A Belfast couple who are poised to become the first same-sex couple to marry in Northern Ireland following a historic law change last year, have said they are ‘overwhelmed’ to be making history next week when they wed.

Sharni Edwards, 27, and Robyn Peoples, 26, are set to get married next Tuesday (11 February) in Carrickfergus.

This will be the first same-sex wedding to take place in Northern Ireland to the knowledge of the Love Equality campaign*. Marriages can legally take place in the region from next Monday.

At a press conference in Belfast today, the couple joined campaigners from the Love Equality campaign, which championed the change in the law.

Sharni Edwards said:

“We’re so excited for our wedding day. It’s a big day for us, but an even bigger day for equal rights in Northern Ireland.

“Robyn and I have been together for six years but the campaign for marriage equality has been going longer. It’s thanks to everyone who has campaigned that next week we’ll be making our vows to each other – equal to other couples in the eyes of the law.” 

Robyn Peoples said:

“We did not set out to make history. We’re just a couple in love, who want to make a life-long commitment through marriage. Now the law finally allows us to do this.

“We want to thank everyone who made this day possible - the Love Equality campaign, the thousands who marched in Belfast and beyond, and the MPs in Westminster who changed the law. Together we’ve made history - it’s quite overwhelming.”

Patrick Corrigan, Northern Ireland director of Amnesty International, which helped lead the successful Love Equality campaign for marriage equality in Northern Ireland, said:

“Sharni and Robyn’s wedding is set to be the first of many for same-sex couples in Northern Ireland - who can finally get married as equal citizens.

“This is what our campaign has been all about – love and equality. We could not be happier for Sharni and Robyn, and all the other couples who will follow them down the aisle.

“Next week will be a landmark for equal rights in Northern Ireland and we can’t wait.”