With this ring, I thee Ed: Labour leader Miliband ties the knot at last

The newly weds braved strong winds to pose for pictures after the ceremony at a hotel near Nottingham.

He wore a slate blue suit while she opted for a traditional floor-length ivory dress, without a train, as they tied the knot.

Among around 50 family members and old friends on the guest list was Mr Miliband's brother, David, whom he beat to the Labour leadership last year.

Conducted by a local registrar, the wedding took place at the Langar Hall Hotel, not far from where Cambridge-educated environmental barrister Ms Thornton grew up. The groom took time out from his preparations earlier to send a message on Twitter to followers who had wished him well for the day.

"Thanks for all the good wishes," wrote Mr Miliband. "Really looking forward to the day. Feel like the luckiest guy in the world to be marrying Justine."

The wedding was followed by a reception at the same venue, including "drinks and canapes" and speeches delivered by the bride and groom only – Mr Miliband having dispensed with the tradition of having a best man.

Instead of gifts, the couple asked for donations to children's charity Barnardo's and to Methodist Homes for the Aged, which housed Ms Thornton's grandmother for several years.

Mr Miliband, who proposed on London's Primrose Hill near where the couple live with their two young sons, announced in March that they would marry.

As the first leader of a major political party to live with his family out of wedlock, Mr Miliband had faced criticism about his unmarried status but insisted he would not be forced into it.

The Labour leader, 41, met Ms Thornton, who is a year younger than him, in 2005 – the year Mr Miliband was first elected to parliament. They are to take a five-day honeymoon to an undisclosed location.