Newlyweds invite priest to go on the honeymoon

Aug 9 2004 By Mary Murtagh Daily Post Correspondent

BRIDE and groom Suzanne Fletcher and Paul Coulthard will start their new life together by going on honeymoon - with 13 friends and relatives and the priest who married them.

The pair rejected the usual romantic fortnight together for a big party in a French villa with their nearest and dearest.

It makes a change from the usual honeymoon where the couple normally do not want their new mother and father-in-laws around.

Doctor Fletcher and physiotherapy student Mr Coulthard tied the knot at St Margaret Mary's RC Church, Huyton, on Friday afternoon with friend Father Mark Moran overseeing the nuptials.

The newlyweds will set off for their luxury chateau in the Bordeaux region, complete with private pool, this week with friends and relatives driving, or flying in to join them.

The bride, 31, from Roby, is a doctor at the Countess of Chester hospital and is training to be a surgeon.

She and Mr Coulthard, 29, of Knotty Ash, have been together for more than a decade after meeting as teenagers.

They were inspired by a similar family affair honeymoon after Suzanne's sister, Bernadette, got married two years ago.

The party had a wonderful time and they wanted to recreate the experience when they tied the knot themselves.

She said: "It's carrying on the party by having everyone come on our honeymoon.

"Paul knows the whole family anyway.

"It will be a big relaxing holiday for everyone and one long party. It will be lovely for us all to be together but people are surprised when we tell them."

The honeymoon couple will be joined by the parents of the bride, Maureen and Martin Fletcher, the bride's sister, Bernadette, and her husband, Simon Doyle, her brother Alex and his girlfriend, Lynn Parle, her other two sisters, Carmel and Monica Fletcher, and brother Terry Fletcher, and family friend, Paul Grogan.

But perhaps the most odd addition to the honeymoon party will be Father Mark Moran, who wed the pair.

Mr Coulthard said: "It's great. It will be a real laugh and we can just carry on the party.

"We have the rest of our lives together.

"It is unconventional but it will be a lot of fun."

Father Moran said: "I have never been on honeymoon with anyone I have married before.

"I'm really looking forward to it.

"It's a real honour to marry such good friends."