But when Ian McGarry and Rachel Walton from Hadfield tie the knot on April 4, their guests will each receive a bottle of beer.

The mementoes of the special day, though, won't just be off the shelf from the off-licence – the bottles are coming from award-winning Glossop microbrewery Howard Town, whose Wren's Nest bitter has just been accepted as a guest ale in the House of Commons.

The brewery does a range of brews, including Valentine's Day favourite Love Nest, which is being customised for the beer-loving couple – who are featured in suitably merry pose on the label – to the decidedly unromantic Ball And Chain.

Ian, a political researcher, explained how he could get away with the kind of down-to-earth gesture that's not every bride's idea of the perfect wedding accessory.

"Rachel's a member of Camra (the Campaign For Real Ale] and she's passionate about her beer," said Ian, 36, whose favourite pub is his local the Peel Arms in Hadfield, although he added: "I'm a bit of a lightweight in comparison when it comes to boozing, as those on my stag night with testify.

"But it seemed only right to have something like this for our wedding. Also, we didn't want anything corny or cliched.

"We're big fans of real ale and Howard Town especially, who are doing a great job in this area. And we're supporting local business at the same time.

"And we get to buy a round for our relatives and friends who thought they'd never see the day when either of us made it down the aisle."

In keeping with the couple's passion for fine ale, both the wedding ceremony and reception are taking place in acclaimed gastropub the White Hart in Lydgate, although Ian laughs at the suggestion that the vows might to taken at the bar.

After the ceremony, Ian and Rachel, 32, who works as a research associate at Manchester University, will be off on honeymoon to Morocco.

However the keen walkers, who have already done the West Highland Way (when Ian proposed) and Hadrian's Wall, are planning another more beery journey.

"I've since been coerced into agreeing to do the Pennine Way," said Ian. "Perhaps I should leave the spare bottles of Ball And Chain in her wardrobe in the hope she necks them and forgets about this promise."