Long lace sleeves, lace v-neck bodice cinched at the waist flow into the skirt and train, the 25-year-old dress has design elements similar to the one worn by the most famous bride last week.
“It’s nice to be able to wear it again,” said Beth Meechan, clutching a bouquet of white roses.
Beth too is married to a military man — George is an ALSE tech with 443 Squadron at Pat Bay. The Sidney bride also wore a thin veil skimming her face as she and George renewed their vows Friday in Beacon Park — right after a military craft flew overhead.
They celebrate 25 years of marriage on May 24, and jumped at the chance when town crier Kenny Podmore offered the park ceremony as part of the festivities surrounding the royal marriage earlier that day.
“We thought we’d take advantage of this opportunity,” Beth said. “Because you never know,” she added, eluding to the uncertainty military life can create. “This was an opportunity to do something special.”
The ceremony was bookended by a pair of sold-out British brunches at the Mary Winspear Centre.
The events created quite a buzz, attracting local, national and international media, according to organizer Podmore.
The Sidney town councillor and his wife Anita opened their living room to a national photographer who joined them at 2:30 a.m. to watch the wedding. Later in the day, the BBC called on Kenny, who obliged with an interview between brunches.