Newlyweds who tied the knot in the New Forest on Sunday, spent their wedding reception, in their fineries, at the Isle of Wight Festival.
After getting married in the morning, Jade and James Gardner hopped on the ferry and headed straight for Seaclose Park.
Speaking to Absolute Radio’s Ben Burrell on the day, the happy couple said: “It was 10am this morning we got married. It was at home at the New Forest, we got the Red Funnel ferry over at 12pm, and then we arrived here.”
The couple, who had always wanted a festival wedding, had originally planned to have a big celebration but decided it was too "expensive, stressful, and not fun.”
So, instead, they got married at a small ceremony in the New Forest, with just four people bearing witness.
Imagine having your WEDDING RECEPTION at the @IsleOfWightFest!
— Absolute Radio (@absoluteradio) June 18, 2023
That’s what Jade and James have done and @benburrell went out and tracked them down to find out more! 💜#IOW2023 @UKEnterprise pic.twitter.com/hnJ8wfACj5
Dressed in her wedding dress, Jade said: “We’ve always said we wanted a festival wedding. We’ve always loved the Isle of Wight Festival, it’s our favourite festival.”
Such was the impromptu nature of their wedding, the best man did not even know until the morning.
Jade said her and her new husband were touched by the kindness of strangers on their journey over here.
She said: “We got a free Starbucks, then got an announcement on the ferry, then got a free lift from somebody that overheard… it’s just been so nice, very unique.”
The couple said their first dance was going to be to Angels, performed by Robbie Williams.
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