Weather woes forwedding couple

Kathy Goff married her Irish police officer fiance Shane Lavery in spite of bad weather and mechanical failure.

Kathy (31) and Shane (28) were wed at Our Lady of Sorrows Roman Catholic Church, in Clarence Road, in spite of all the obstacles.

Her stepfather, Peter Champion, of Gencathara Road, thought that a marquee in the garden in July seemed a good idea 18 months ago when planning for the big day began.

However, the recent horrendous weather made the idea seem less inviting. The marquee, however, was put up in between the worst of the downpours which have blighted summer.

But another problem loomed into view as the Irish contingent of guests were stuck in Dublin for ten hours because of aircraft failure.

Eventually, they were taken by coach to Belfast to catch a flight from there. Another party of five guests made it from the north of England through the floods after a 12-hour drive.

Nothing else seemed to be left to go wrong. Except the caterers were based in Reading in the centre of the worst of the weather.

Mr Champion said: 'Their premises were cut off by the floods and they couldn't get food supplies in.

'Some of their staff's homes were underwater but, by sheer professionalism and working overnight, they got everything together and arrived just in time to set up as the wedding party was setting off.'

The service went as planned with the bride wearing a beaded lace bodice and layered tuille skirt. She was attended by five bridesmaids and two pageboys.

From then, everything went perfectly and the good weather ensured the reception and evening celebration in the marquee proved the Irish know how to party. Kathy and Shane left on time for their honeymoon in the Maldive Islands.