Skip to content

'I got married and graduated in three crazy hours'

Lynette HorsburghNorth West
News imageLiverpool John Moores University handout Bride and graduate Charnele Washbourne wearing a wedding dress and veil with her graduation gown and gold and green dangle earrings inside Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. She is looking away from the camera. She is smiling.Liverpool John Moores University handout
Nele Washbourne said the two ceremonies being on the same day was a "wild and unlikely coincidence"

A woman is celebrating two huge milestones in the space of three hours - by getting hitched then graduating.

Charnele Washbourne, known as Nele, married her partner of 10 years Bradley Natt at Liverpool Town Hall at 13:00 BST on Monday then dashed across the city in her wedding dress, cap and gown to graduate from Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral.

The 33-year-old, from Bournemouth, said it was a "wild and unlikely coincidence" the two ceremonies ended up on the same day.

She said it was "crazy" the two events were within hours of each other but it made the day "even more memorable".

News imageLiverpool John Moores University handout Bride and graduate Charnele Washbourne wearing a wedding dress and veil with her graduation gown with her groom Bradley Natt who has brown hair and a beard wearing a dark grey wedding suit. They are standing inside Liverpool Anglican Cathedral and both are smiling. Liverpool John Moores University handout
Newlyweds Nele Washbourne and Bradley Natt are looking forward to their mini moon to celebrate their nuptials

The History of Art & Museum Studies graduate said the reason they decided to get married this year, after a seven-year engagement was "to celebrate all of our big life events".

"It's been a turbulent few years for me and my family, so we wanted to celebrate our achievements in a big way," she said.

"It's crazy the two ended up within three hours of each other but if felt right that they both happen on the same date, and it just makes the day even more memorable."

Nele's groom Bradley was fully on board with the idea, she said.

"Brad is incredibly supportive and has been ever since I decided to go to university as a mature student.

"He loves that we get to celebrate all of life events and achievements, which makes our day even more memorable and special."

News imageLiverpool John Moores University handout Charnele Washbourne crosses the stage in her graduation ceremony wearing a wedding dress with her graduation gown and cap inside Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. She is shaking hands with the presiding officials from Liverpool John Moores University. She is smiling as are officials on stage. Liverpool John Moores University handout
The History of Art & Museum Studies graduate is on the look out for a job relevant to her studies in Liverpool

The newlyweds then went on to a reception at the Botanical Garden in Liverpool to celebrate with their loved ones with everyone from Nele's course invited to join and mark their own achievements, too.

The happy couple are now heading to their mini moon.

Nele is currently working at LJMU's exhibition research lab and said she will be on the look out for other roles in Liverpool relevant to her studies.

She has previouly done an internship at the Guggenheim in Venice and as well as working with several art programmes around Liverpool during her studies.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.

More on this story
Related internet links