Soldier Wedding

"When I joined the Army there was no ban on homosexuality," Mike says. "The atmosphere is definitely positive. In fact we had a lot of the regiment at our wedding celebrating with us when we got married."

"Mike's been through one tour already and the six months were lonely without him, but I have a fantastic bunch of friends and the support from the Army is superb," Dan says.

We received reports that members of Mike's regiment took him on a stag night through Manchester in a last-ditch effort to "straighten the chap out." (It didn't work.)

The couple share a quiet moment at the altar.

When asked how the civil partnership will change their lives, Dan said "I think what's really changed is our outlook: we are in this life together now and we are a team. We are in love and have never felt better -- the civil partnership is the icing on the cake."

Over 200 guests, including family, friends, work colleagues and members of Mike's regiment, gathered at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Over 200 guests, including family, friends, work colleagues and members of Mike's regiment, gathered at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

The venue featured Victorian greenhouses, gardens and an arboretum for guests to get lost in.

"I don't think either of us ever imagined getting married, it was fairly spontaneous but it has never felt like a bad decision. We are so happy together and can't imagine being with anyone else," Dan says.

When asked how they feel as newlywed, the couple agrees: "The best thing about being married is knowing that we are supported by a loving family, amazing friends and we will be together experiencing life happily married."