A COUPLE who first met as teenagers and were reunited through mutual friends at a barbecue, Benjamin Michael Harding and Gemma Louise Downer, were married at the Holy Cross Church, Binstead.
The bridegroom, a sales assistant, is the son of Mr and Mrs Mike Harding, of Binstead Lodge Road, Binstead. The bride, a staff nurse, is the daughter of Kevin Downer, of East Cowes Road, Whippingham, and Michelle Matthews, of Arthur Street Ryde.
The bride wore an ivory fishtail dress with a diamonte and pearl tiara and an ivory veil. She carried a bouquet made up of an unusual trailing of pink orchids and orange gerbera.
She was attended by Lisa and Gracie Holbrook, who wore sage green and ivory dresses and carried a smaller versions of the bride’s bouquet, and eighteen-month-old Freya Harding, (couple’s daughter) and 20-month-old Evie Matthew (bride’s god-daughter), wjo wore ivory and sage green dresses and carried a balls of orchids on a ribbon.
Dylan Downer (bride’s brother) and Eddie Harding (bridegroom’s nephew) acted as page boys. Both wore ivory waistcoats, charcoal trousers and sage green cravats.
Ian Matthews was best man and Tom Harding and Sam Harding (bridegroom’s brothers) were ushers.
The Rev Brian Fessey officiated. A reception was held at Sea View Yacht Club, Seaview, followed by a honeymoon in Orlando, Florida.
Photography by Martin Wilkins, Wight Photography.