We got married on a rollercoaster!
Wednesday 15th April 2009
It was the first thing that jumped out at me from the page. 'We have to do this,' I grinned, thrusting the newspaper under my fiancé Karl's nose. It was an ad for a new rollercoaster at Thorpe Park called SAW — The Ride. 'That's the ride for us,' he said, eyes lighting up. 'Shame it's not open for another five months,' I grumbled. 'Never mind. We'll be able to go as a married couple then,' Karl said. Eight years earlier, in November 2000, a mutual friend had brought Karl along to my birthday party. My birthday was on Halloween, so I'd always had a spooky-themed party. I was dressed as a female Dracula, while he was a pumpkin.
It was love at first bite! We'd had our second date at Thorpe Park, and spent hours chatting about our favourite horror films. Eighteen months later, we were engaged. 'I don't think you can beat the SAW series,' I'd said, a few years on. 'I love them, too,' Karl had nodded. 'They're gory, but clever.' We were planning to get married this year, at Battersea Town Hall
on Friday 13 February. Afterwards, we'd have a party at home. Except now, when I should have been thinking about bridesmaids and bouquets, I couldn't get that SAW rollercoaster
out of my head.
It was made for us. Suddenly, I had an idea. 'Wouldn't it be perfect to get married on it?' I blurted to Karl. Getting married on a rollercoaster was a crazy, mad, harebrained idea.'I love it,' Karl grinned. 'Let's ask them.' So I emailed Thorpe Park before either of us had a chance to change our minds. Two weeks on, we got a reply… We'd love to help you out. 'Look at this email!' I called to Karl. 'I can't believe it,' he laughed. Turned out we were going to be the first members of the public on the SAW rollercoaster, on 13 February. 'Let's dress Gothic, to fit with the horror theme,' I suggested. 'Fantastic idea,' Karl nodded. All our friends and family agreed it was the perfect way for us to tie the knot.
So, along with my white wedding dress, I got myself some black eyeshadow and blood-red lipstick, while Karl bought himself a frilly red shirt and a top hat. Thorpe Park helped us to find a registrar, and on the big day, we got dressed at home in Battersea. 'You're the most beautiful horror bride I've ever seen,' Karl grinned. 'And you're a gorgeous Gothic groom,' I laughed, kissing him. At that time of year, the park was normally shut. It was opening the next day for February half-term, but we had to be there extra early on the Friday to avoid getting in the way of maintenance staff. So that day, a minibus picked us up at 5am, and took us to Thorpe Park, along with our 40 guests. Eight of us, including my bridesmaid, Carla, 28, and Karl's best man, Peter Rigby, 28, climbed up into the rollercoaster car. At 10.30am, the registrar began the service. 'I'll stand by Gaynor in life's rollercoaster,' said Karl, reading out his specially-written vows. 'And I'll be there for the ups and the downs,' I replied. No sooner had we had our first kiss as man and wife, than… Whoosh!
The rollercoaster catapulted into action. We screamed as the ride whizzed around, ducked as huge knives shot at us, and jumped as saws came hurtling towards our necks. By the time we got off 10 minutes on, my legs felt like they were made of jelly. I clung to Karl. 'I love you,' I said shakily. 'Love you, too,' he smiled. Then we headed back home for our party.Take it from me, it was the perfect way to get our marriage off to a flying start!