Wedding of the Month - April 2012 - Sergeant Darren Lewis & Rachael Barlow

The Easter Bank holiday got off to a cracking start with the wedding of Sergeant Darren Lewis and his beautiful bride Rachael Barlow.

The couple met in Exmouth six years ago while Darren was undergoing his Corporal training. Once realising that Rachael was the girl for him Darren romantically proposed in a roof top restaurant in Rome.

Darren serves with the Royal Marines in 40 Commando Regiment and the military played an important and impressive part in their big day, which began with Darren arriving in what has to be the most expensive wedding car every used here at Kingston Maurward.

The £1 million Viking BVS10 is only used by Royal Marines. As Corporal Si Whitby, Master of Ceremonies and driver of the vehicle explained: “Think of it as a battlefield taxi, as this amphibious tracked vehicle can go anywhere.”

Several marines in full military attire held stunning King George IV ceremonial swords as a Guard of Honour. With Wilkinson blades and valued at around £4,000 each these swords are extremely hard to obtain and are only used for Sergeants and officers with permission from their Unit.

Rachael arrived in her own unusual vehicle – her father’s motor home- cuddled up in the back with her bridesmaids and page boys.

Rachael ‘s pretty gown came from Pre-Loved Gowns, in Poole, to which she had creatively added her own touches with extra sequins and detail.

The bride and groom had many ‘sweet’ touches during their day including a sweetie table, covered in glass jars and oversized cocktail glasses filled with everything from jelly babies to jelly snakes. The theme was continued into the wedding breakfast with the table names all based around their favourite sweets, with the top table called ‘Pick n Mix’.

The cake made by Gemma Wall from Sugar Chic was a two tiered caked surrounded by cupcakes and the bride and groom also put on an Easter egg hunt with chocolate eggs hidden round Kingston Maurward House.

“A lot of our family and friends have commented on how lovely the venue has been, with the gardens and the lake and the sun shining over it all. Our niece Tammy the little flower girl made a wish the night before asking to have nice weather and it has all come true today” Geoff Barlow, Father of the Bride

Photographs by Florence Morris www.picturedbyfloss.com