VALENTINE'S DAY: Daring bride and groom to take to the skies to say ‘I do’

Feb 14 2008 by Laura Sharpe, Liverpool Daily Post

A GROOM from Merseyside is set to recite his wedding vows 500ft in the air while standing on the wing of a plane.

Fitness instructor Darren McWaters, from St Helens, is spending today with fiancee Katie as they take their first ever wingwalk.

Darren, who works at Parr Swimming and Fitness Centre, is set to marry his daring bride on a biplane used by the world’s only formation walking team.

While friends and family watch from the airfield below, Darren will stand on a plane flying alongside Katie’s plane.

The couple are currently searching for a high-flying vicar who won’t minding standing on a plane ahead of the couple to conduct the wedding vows.

Mr McWaters, 24, said: “We’re so excited about getting married this way, we wanted to do something special and we’re both adventurous and athletic.

“We have both done skydives before but nothing like this. We’re a little bit nervous but it’s an unbelievable way for us to exchange our vows.”

Darren met 24-year-old Katie through mutual friends on a holiday to Australia two years ago.

Last July, in the heart of the Amazon jungle, in South America, he proposed to Katie with a ring made out of coconut shell.

Katie, who works as a post woman, said: “It was really romantic but I’ve now got a sparkling platinum engagement ring.

“I’ll be wearing a wedding dress and we’ll say our vows in the air but we’ll be sealing the vows with a kiss when we land unless they let us do a loop-the-loop.”

She added: “My family are over the moon, my dad was flabbergasted and he’ll still be able to give me away to Darren before we board the plane.

“We’re not traditional people but this wedding will still be traditional in many ways, but with an exciting twist.”

The couple were chosen by Aerosuperbatics after the company received a number of wedding requests and decided to have a competition to chose one lucky couple.

The wedding will take place in August at a World War I airfield in the heart of the Cotswolds, with the couple planning to honeymoon in Africa.

Professional wingwalker Sarah Tanner, from Aerosuperbatics, said: “I can’t imagine a more unique celebration than declaring your vows while soaring above the countryside.

“It will be such fun to help the bride onto the wing in her bridal gown.”

laurasharpe