SIXTY years after saying “I do”, a local couple returned to the very same Jersey hotel where their love story began, to celebrate their diamond anniversary surrounded by close family and friends.
Freda and Michael Videgrain tied the knot six decades ago last weekend at St Mary’s and St Peter’s Church in Vauxhall Street, before partying until the early hours at a reception at The Savoy, then honeymooning in a rainy Guernsey.
Fast-forward to 2025, and the couple can’t quite believe where the time has gone.
“It doesn’t feel real,” Mrs Videgrain said. “It’s hard to believe that we’ve been married sixty years.”
Michael, who was a mere 18 years old when he married a 17-year-old Freda, added: “When [the anniversary] comes up on you, you suddenly realise, ‘wow’.”
Like many marriages, the pair have had their ups and downs. Things started on a difficult footing, as Michael explained, as their engagement took place not long before the death of his mother, which left him parentless.
He said: “Although we were engaged, we hadn’t planned to get married that year and hadn’t spoken of any dates. But, because of the circumstances, we decided to take the plunge.”
Since then, the couple have welcomed three children, which have been followed by the arrival of five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Over the years, the pair have kept their bond strong through various shared interests, including the community they’ve found at Trinity Football Club, and the sporting success they have celebrated at St Brelade’s Bowls Club.
Reflecting on how Jersey has changed since marrying his sweetheart in 1965, Mr Videgrain, now in his seventies, said: “I don’t think any youngsters would even contemplate getting married at the same age we did – although circumstances were different for us.”
Times were different in other ways too: back then, the combined cost of Freda’s diamond wedding and gold engagement rings was just £19, while the wedding reception and buffet also worked out at about £1-a-head in today’s money.
Moreover, in those days, anyone aged under 20 was not allowed to live alone and was assigned a tutelle under Jersey Law – a committee of guardians in the Parish such as the Constable – who Michael had to ask for permission from to marry Freda.
As many long-married couples would testify, it hasn’t always been easy. Freda recalled how, at the time, her father believed their relationship would “never last”.
But their shared belief in compromise and “talking things through” has stood them in good stead – the key, they say, to a long-lasting and happy matrimony.
“What we would say to younger couples is, don’t give in to a problem but face it, and never go to sleep on an argument,” Freda said.
“Marriage is made up of give and take,” she added. “If you don’t agree to disagree, you wouldn’t work.”
Michael added: “We’ve always got through things and I don’t think there’s a day we regret any of it.”
