Jamie and Michelle Wade, both 46, experienced a memorable, albeit unintended, dip into the River Bure in Norfolk on August 29, when their canoe capsized during a wedding photoshoot. The couple, who were posing for photos in the canoe, lost their balance and fell into the water, an incident Michelle described as "going down like the Titanic."
Despite the mishap, which occurred on a day that also saw torrential rain during their ceremony and a forgotten bouquet, the newlyweds maintained a positive spirit. "Not exactly the elegant newlywed photo we had imagined, but somehow it sums up our day perfectly - completely unexpected, slightly chaotic, soaking wet, and filled with love," Michelle said.
The couple's journey to their wedding day had already been marked by challenges. They first met in school in 1993, later reunited in 2016, and became engaged five years later. Their planned 2025 wedding was postponed following the loss of Jamie's father and Michelle's mother. The wedding ceremony took place at Norwich Castle Museum, followed by a reception at The King's Head pub in Coltishall.
Adding to the day's unexpected events, another guest who rushed to assist the Wades after their canoe incident slipped and broke their leg. Michelle also accidentally burned her toe on a fireworks machine at the reception, an injury she noted might have been more severe had she not been wet from the river. "We'd worked so hard to get to our wedding day and the powers that be had one last test for us," Jamie commented.
The Wades are scheduled to go on their honeymoon to Corfu, with Michelle jokingly suggesting they should "take a paramedic."