Duncan Thomson in the guise of Han Solo and Sammi Gardiner as Princess Leia brought the Force to bear on their wedding with full Stars Wars costume on Monday. Picture by Jennifer Burton.
PICTURE GALLERY
IT WAS a case of ‘may the fourth be with you’ for one Island couple, who were wed in a Star Wars themed ceremony on Monday.
Lifelong Star Wars fans Duncan Thomson, 41, and Sammi Gardiner, 39, of New Road, Brading, met a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away — when they went to the cinema to see Revenge of the Sith.
In what is believed to be the first such event on the Island, the wedding, at the Fernbank Hotel, Shanklin, saw Duncan play Han Solo and Sammi take on the role of Princess Leia.
Best man Kieren Thomson, the groom’s son, played Chewbacca.
Darth Vader, played by the couple’s friend Dan Cawtheray, conducted the ceremony using dialogue and music from the film, and all the guests were in costume.
Alongside Jedi Knights and Sith Lords, other characters making an appearance included Yoda, Padme, Obi Wan, C3PO, Luke Skywalker and Boba Fett. Stormtroopers from the Vectis Remnant, an Isle of Wight fan club, also attended.
“I was ten when Star Wars came out and I had absolutely all the collectables,” said Duncan, whose wedding ring, the only one of its kind in the UK, was fashioned from a meteorite by G&M Jewellery, in Ryde.
Sammi said: “We chose Han and Leia because we are both adventurous couples and Star Wars is the ultimate love story.
“We had to talk a few guests round into dressing up, but they were quite excited in the end. They think we’re a bit mad.”
Following their out-of-this-world wedding, the couple, who received a congratulatory letter from Star Wars director George Lucas after inviting him to the ceremony, will leave on Friday for a honeymoon cruise around the Mediterranean.
“We just wanted a fun wedding and it’s really been a day to remember,” said Duncan.
• Pictures from our online gallery www.iwcpgallery.co.uk below.
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Reporter: emilyp@iwcpmail.co.uk