OUR STAR WARS WEDDING: MEET THE NI COUPLES WHO DARED TO BE DIFFERENT ON THEIR BIG DAY
Ahead of the Quirky Weddings Alternative Fair at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall on Sunday Lee Henry talks to three Northern Ireland couples who tied the knot in unconventional style
‘Stormtroopers formed a guard of honour after we got married’
Colin Symington, (38), a tiler from Lisburn, married Adele (32), a waitress from Craigavon, at Dunadry Hotel in Templepatrick in September 2011. He says:
Adele and I met in November 2005 in Mulholland’s Bar, Dromore. Thankfully, it was a mutual attraction. We got engaged in the Absolut Ice Bar in Stockholm while on a cruise of the Baltic capitals and married two years later.
We wanted to do something a little different, as neither of us really conform to the norm in many aspects of our lives. We like to do our own thing. And at the end of the day, our wedding was about us.
We decided to have a Star Wars theme to inject some personality into proceedings. Anything but the humdrum traditional approach. We wanted it to be a talking point and it certainly was that.
On the day, there were eight stormtroopers in attendance, and Darth Vader, of course — volunteers from the local Emerald Garrison Star Wars Costume Club, of which I am a member. After the ceremony, when our guests were directed outside, they gave us a guard of honour, much to everyone’s delight.
As well as that, the amazing Ireland String Quartet played pieces from the film’s iconic score throughout the day and our tables were named after Star Wars planets. Tatooine, Endor, Alderaan and more.
We also had a Jabba the Hutt cake made by the guys at Cake Fairy, which Adele let me choose and which was a surprise to her. I can’t say she was entirely thrilled by it, if I’m honest. I can categorically state that no, my wife does not share my love of Star Wars. The wedding compere had never seen anything like it and was in fits.
My Star Wars obsession started when I was a young boy. My older brothers had lots of the vintage figures and vehicles and naturally they were handed down to me. When I was the age to grasp the concept of the movies, I was hooked.
I have met so many Star Wars actors, and obtained hundreds of autographs, while attending conventions throughout Europe over the years. I met David Prowse, aka Darth Vader, in Belfast, as well as the late Carrie Fisher, who played Princess Leia. I’ve yet to get Harrison Ford or our very own Liam Neeson’s autograph, but with a little help from the force, maybe someday soon…
As a lot of the Emerald Garrison members attended our wedding, obviously we knew they would appreciate it, though we were a little apprehensive as to what our parents and family would think. We told Adele’s dad, Norman, a few weeks beforehand and he was horrified. Her granny, Mary, was a little scared when she saw all the guns. But in the end, everyone wanted photos. It certainly created a bit of excitement with the hotel staff and guests, too. They were taking pictures all day. At one point, two stormtroopers even went AWOL and were found checking in bewildered guests at the front desk.
Our photographer and videographer couldn’t wait to capture the wedding, as they had never experienced anything like it before in Northern Ireland.
In fact, a couple of years later, we were still hearing stories of how our videographer was using our video to attract people to his stand at wedding fairs.”