Jane Tsang and Simon Knowles will be the first couple to marry at Wilton House.THE first couple to tie the knot in a civil ceremony at Wilton House are making final preparations for what promises to be a magical wedding day.

Simon Knowles and Jane Tsang will marry in the gracious surroundings of the double cube room and then their 100 guests will have freedom of the house and garden for the rest of the day.

Wilton House's resident wedding organiser, Jill Richards, has been on hand throughout the planning to recommend and liaise with local suppliers to make sure the wedding goes without any unintended hitches.

The happy couple, who hail from Bath, approached Wilton House before it had even applied for a civil wedding licence.

Simon said: "I rang up initially to ask about wedding receptions.

"I just happened to mention that it would be good if we could actually get married there, too.

Jill said: "It was a coincidence, because we were right in the middle of thinking about applying for a licence, so it really spurred us on.

"The double cube room has the 'wow' factor for guests."

Bride-to-be Jane was full of praise for the wedding co-ordination service at Wilton House.

She said: "Jill has been fantastic - really helpful with everything. She somehow manages to be both efficient and cheerful - the perfect combination," said Simon.

"I am sure Wilton House will become a very popular venue for weddings," he added.