Jamie and Michelle Wade, both 46, experienced a memorable, albeit unplanned, plunge into the River Bure in Norfolk on August 29 while attempting to capture wedding photos. The couple, who had been together since meeting at school in 1993 and later reunited in 2016, were posing in a canoe when they lost their balance and fell into the water.
Michele, a phlebotomist, described the moment as "like the Titanic," recalling her thoughts about her newly worn, £1,800 wedding dress and freshly done hair. "Not exactly the elegant newlywed photo we had imagined, but somehow it sums up our day perfectly - completely unexpected, slightly chaotic, soaking wet, absolutely hilarious, and filled with love," she stated.
The couple's journey to their wedding day was marked by several challenges. They had initially planned to marry in 2025 but postponed the ceremony due to the losses of Jamie's father and Michelle's mother. Michelle had also experienced several miscarriages and an ectopic pregnancy. Despite these hardships, they were determined to proceed with their wedding at Norwich Castle Museum.
Further unexpected events complicated their wedding day. Michelle forgot her bouquet and had to return for it, encountering Jamie on the road after they had taken steps to avoid seeing each other before the ceremony. During the ceremony itself, torrential rain caused confetti to stick to guests. Following the ceremony, as they posed for creative photographs on Coltishall Common, the canoe incident occurred.
Adding to the day's unexpected events, a guest who rushed to assist the couple after their fall slipped and broke their leg. Upon returning to their reception, the soaked couple were met with surprise from their 120 guests. Jamie noted that they took the events in stride, with Michelle quickly recovering her composure. He also humorously mentioned that his boots remained full of water throughout the reception. As a final mishap, Michelle accidentally burned her toe on a fireworks machine, an injury she might have sustained more severely if she hadn't been wet.
The couple, who became engaged on a boat, are scheduled for their honeymoon in Corfu. "I think we should probably take a paramedic," Michelle quipped.