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Paradise wedding a £12,000 disaster
A COUPLE from Blackpool whose dream wedding in Mexico was destroyed by Hurricane Wilma face a race against time to tie the knot at home.
Craig Daniels, 30, and Leigh-Anne Halliwell, 29, were due to be married on a sun-kissed beach in Cancun last Thursday.
But instead of exchanging marriage vows they were on a plane to Gatwick when their resort was battered by high winds and storms.
The couple, both from South Shore, spent 12,000 for the wedding and honeymoon package, which included flying out 27 friends and family for the ceremony. But they suspected things would not go as planned when they got off the plane in Mexico to find street signs had been taped down and furniture had been brought indoors.
Leigh-Anne said: "It was horrendous. The rain was torrential and then the winds got stronger and stronger. We had to put mattresses up against out patio doors and we had one candle as a means of light. The view of trees and palms from our room completely disappeared."
The couple had no idea Hurricane Wilma was on its way when they left the UK.
"We thought it strange that there were a lot of empty seats on the plane because we had been inquiring about taking more people but were told the plane was full. It was only when we got to Mexico a hurricane was mentioned," said Leigh-Anne.
"The whole thing was played down.
"We were told not to worry and that it would probably pass without damage and we had our welcome talk as normal and we even booked trips for the following week."
But the couple never went on the trips. Instead they spent three days holed up in their hotel room with plates of sandwiches as hurricane Wilma – the most powerful hurricane Mexico has ever experienced – tore through the resort, leaving trees felled, fences uprooted and their hotel flooded.
Now the couple, who have a post-wedding celebration booked at the Carousel Hotel, South Promenade, on November 12, face a race against time to say "I do" before their do.
They are in talks with Rev Graham Piper at St Christopher's Parish Church on Hawes Side Lane to obtain a special
licence so they can marry in time for their reception.
"Hopefully, because we were due to be married on October 27 and because of the unusual circumstances surrounding our wedding, we will be granted a special licence," said Craig.
If they are granted their licence the couple, who now run a pub in Cheadle, Manchester, then face another race to arrange flowers and a photographer – all the things they had arranged for the service in Mexico.
Leigh-Anne added: "Obviously we would never have arranged an October wedding in this country and our outfits and the bridesmaids' outfits have been designed with a hot beach in mind so it may look a little strange.
"We also have nowhere to take our wedding pictures, which is a bit of a worry – I would have liked a beautiful indoor setting. But I suppose the main thing is we will be getting married."
frances.bickerdike@blackpoolgazette.co.uk
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Weather for Blackpool
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South west
