Bognor Regis couple tie the knot in Star Wars style

The stars were definitely pointing towards romance for Darren and Victoria Hoskins, who tied the knot in a Star Wars-themed ceremony last Friday.

Stormtroopers were in attendance for the unique occasion, and those famed words ‘may the force be with you’ were delivered by the registrar at the end.

Mr Hoskins said: “We have been together for six years. We decided on a Star Wars-themed wedding as it is very dear to my heart from seeing the film as a young boy back in 1977.

“Also I am part of a UK Star Wars costuming group who do a lot of work raising money for charities and putting smiles on peoples faces, young and old.

“The service went very well and the staff were fantastic. It is a shame this venue is closing.

“I would also like to thank Nick Bainton, Kevin Hammond and Mark Gammons (who dressed as a Stormtrooper, Sandtrooper and Boba Fett) for making our wedding extra special.”

The couple said they had no honeymoon plans at the moment.

Clare Whatley, a work colleague of Victoria, said: “They followed the Star Wars theme through and had Lego Star Wars characters on top of the wedding cake. It may have been weird, but it was lovely, it fitted and was really enjoyable.

“It was a good way to see the register office off. When the Stormtroopers came out on to the High Street everybody just stopped and looked.”

The decision to close the register office was part of West Sussex County Council’s bid to make savings and once the lease for the Greyfriars building in North Street ends in September, it will not be renewed.

The last ceremony at the Chichester Register Office will be on September 2. People can still register births and deaths at the office.

When the office closes in September they will be able to register births, marriages and deaths at premises in the Record Office in Orchard Street.

The Ship Hotel in Chichester has now licensed two function rooms as an approved premises for civil marriages and partnerships.

There are 36 appointed bedrooms, a luxurious bar and restaurant and photo opportunities on the Adam staircase.