Yahoo Sports A Brentford love story at the Gtech
For most of our fans, Gtech Community Stadium is a fortress of football dreams. But for two Brentford supporters, it became the ultimate venue for their dream wedding reception this year.
This summer, we hosted our very first wedding reception at Gtech Community Stadium.
True to the location, the celebration was Brentford-themed with bride and groom Rachel Murphy and Reece Nunes being lifelong season ticket holders.
Growing up in Distillery Walk, Brentford has always been Reece's local team: "My dad took my brother and me to Griffin Park when we were younger. We used to go every Saturday with my friends. And then for my dad's 50th, we bought season tickets 10 years ago, and we've been going ever since."
Rachel's father was the head groundsman at the club's previous stadium Griffin Park, and he would frequently bring her to the ground when she was a baby. Since she was 14, she's had a season ticket and would watch Brentford play with her father and uncle.
Meant to Bee
Though now married, the couple didn't first lay eyes on each other at a Bees match.
"It's always a bit of a running joke," Rachel laughs. "Reece and I don't sit together at the Gtech. So, I sit in the west stand with my family and, then Reece sits in the south stand with his."
For the west London locals, their love story began when they first met in a pub in Twickenham eight years ago.
"We had mutual friends, and we met there. I was going to a Brentford match the next day because I remember us speaking about what we were doing that weekend, and I think that's how we got onto the conversation of both being season ticket holders," says Rachel.
Despite now being husband and wife, they've maintained their regular seats and stands.
"We still stick to the traditions. We travel together. My dad, Reece's brother, and I normally meet at One Over the Ait. We will walk up to the ground together, my dad and I will go one way, and Reece will go the other. After full-time, we'll come back together," explains Rachel.
Rachel and Reece's shared love for Brentford has brought harmony to their relationship. "We definitely never argue about what we're doing on the weekend when Brentford are at home!" says Reece.
The wedding: Bee mine forever
A few years ago, Rachel and Reece got engaged.
In their search for venues, they booked a place with ample time to spare three years ago.
However, they ran into difficulty with just a month to spare before their big day. Reece explains: "Our wedding reception venue basically ceased trading, and we were left high and dry. We managed to get a partial refund."
The couple was left with the dilemma of cancelling their wedding if they could not find another venue.
Rachel searched for other wedding reception venues and contacted several locations to see if they could accommodate them.
Amongst the options was the Gtech. Reece was sure he wanted the stadium to be their reception venue after he visited: "When I walked in, I was in love with the place. And then to have it at Brentford as well was perfect."
"I think our original venue was cancelled on a Thursday. By Wednesday, we were visiting Gtech Community Stadium, and by Friday, we had our contract through, so it was so quick. It was fate," says Rachel.
Reece and Rachel ended up choosing the Railway for their wedding reception, a hospitality lounge in the Gtech which our premium seat holders use on matchdays.
Prior to changing venues, the couple had a Brentford-themed celebration in mind. From their guests being seated on tables named after Bees players to a cake topper with Reece wearing a Brentford shirt, the conference and events team at the Gtech accommodated the couple's every need.
Rachel says: "With our old venue, we already had an ice cream truck set up, a photo booth, and other extra services like that. So we were worried if we would be able to have all of that as we'd already set up and paid for these. But Brentford accommodated all of these services. So we still had all of our little touches, which was nice."
A Brentford touch
On the day, Rachel and Reece enjoyed a few perks of being at the home of their favourite club as they were the first wedding celebration at the Gtech.
"All of the staff were coming over to check if we were okay or if we needed anything. They were so attentive. We had the photos pitchside, which was lovely because we had really close family and friends down there as well. So that was a really nice moment," says Rachel.
Additionally, the club threw in a few surprises for the couple's big day which included video messages from Brentford head coach Thomas Frank and goalkeeper Mark Flekken.
"In our wedding photos, there's a picture of me stopping at the Thomas Frank video and just crying when he came on the screen," says Rachel.
They also had a guest they weren't quite expecting: Bees club ambassador Marcus Gayle.
Rachel and Reece had a day they won't forget. Rachel says: "It means a lot to us and our families. And it just adds that extra layer of being somewhere special. And every time we go to the stadium, we'll look up and remember the day."
