Identical twins who got married on the same day celebrate wedding anniversary together

It was their big day and identical twins Gillian and Alison naturally said “we do” together. The pair married their sweethearts on the same day in 1974 at Chelmsley Wood Baptist Church.

According to mum Audrey Humpage her daughters even wore the same dresses and hairstyles at their double wedding – 40 years ago.

Proud dad Norman, who sadly died nearly two years ago, took each of his girls – now 62 – by the arm, down the aisle, at Chelmsley Wood Baptist Church.

And the pair got together to mark their joint ruby wedding anniversaries.

Alison Wootton said: “I remember my dad when he was talking about the wedding said ‘I’m walking them both down’.

“I remember him just looking at us, it was always a very special moment.

“I think I took my vows first and a friend played the piano for us.

“I remember my grandma saying ‘Oh, they’re going separate ways now’.”

The sisters met their husbands-to-be in a youth group, at Kingshurst Evangelical Church.

Alison’s husband Ray, 65, and Gillian Nicholds’ other half, Owen, 62, were also friends.

As well as looking exactly the same on their wedding day, the sisters reckon they are similar personality-wise too – and they are so close, their Coleshill homes are only three doors apart.

Alison is a mum of four – including twins – and Gillian has two children.

Tying the knot on the same day had not always been the plan. The idea was actually Ray’s, as Gillian was already planning her own wedding.

Gillian said: “We have always done everything together. Our husbands understand Alison and I do a lot together.

“It was lovely to get married with our three families there and they all got on well.

“When we look back at photos and see relatives who are no longer with us, it’s special.”

“We are very close,” Alison added.

“We have chosen for each other to be best friends, we do have special bonds.”

Audrey, 89, said: “They’re very identical, you can tell them apart more now because of their ages.

“They have always been so close, we have been blessed.”

Read the full story here: http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/identical-twins-gillian-alison-who-6986789.