Falklands : Breezy Wedding for Falklands Governor
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 21.10.2004 (Article Archived on 16.12.2004)
Warm, breezy winds and bright sunshine accented the wedding of H. E. the Governor Mr Howard Pearce and Miss Caroline Thomee.
Photo (c) J. Brock (FINN) The happy couple with the FIDF Guard of Honour
BREEZY WEDDING FOR FALKLANDS GOVERNOR
By J. Brock (FINN)
H.E. the Governor and Mrs. Pearce just after they were married at Christ Church Cathedral in Stanley.
Warm, breezy winds and bright sunshine accented the wedding of H. E. the Governor Mr Howard Pearce and Miss Caroline Thomee. In Falklands terms, this wedding is a historic first, with the nuptials being held in the world’s most southerly cathedral between the incumbent Governor and his fiancé. The service took place at Christ Church Cathedral in Stanley, Falkland Islands at 1215 on Thursday, 21 October 2004.
The Red Taxi is out for the first time in years
The happy couple under the Whalebone Arch
Brownie Guides greet Gov. and Mrs. Pearce.
A kiss for the bride and groom
The Red Taxi that had been out of use for many years was the vehicle of choice for the bride. The Chief Police Chief, Dave Morris, opened the taxi door for the bride. With the bride in the taxi was Miss. Thomee’s brother, who gave her away.
Reverend Paul Sweeting, Rector of the Falkland Islands, officiated at the ceremony that was broadcast over FIBS, KTV and Web-cam via Cable and Wireless plc. Prior to the bride’s arrival, H. E. the Governor, Mr. Pearce waited for her in the choir.
The Cathedral looked lovely, with tussock grass, accentuated with Falklands pebbles and stuffed Military Starlings near the altar and local flowers like Pale Maidens and Daffodils. Mrs. Janet Wilkinson took three days to arrange the flowers. Mrs. Lidda Luxton provided some of the Daffodils and Jan Miller supplied other flowers.
Invited guests attending the ceremony witnessed the couple’s vows and the exchanging of rings that were partly crafted with Falklands gold. Governor Pearce was in full dress uniform and best man, Mr. Robert Napier, Chief Executive for the World Wildlife Fund for Nature, was decked out in his best kilt. According to Dutch tradition, there were no bridesmaids but Miss. Thomee’s friend, Loeky Kramer from Holland, attended her.
The bride was resplendent in a white floor-length sleeveless gown with a round neckline that she helped to make. She wore a single strand of pearls around her neck. On the gown were embroidered flowers in red and yellow. The dress was partly made of felted Falklands wool. A long veil flowed from a headband of yellow and white flowers completed the outfit. The bride carried a bouquet of daffodils.
A contingent of Falkland Islands Defence Force members headed Colour Sergeant Adam Cockwell formed a guard of honour. Brownie Guides greeted the couple after they left the Cathedral and they posed for photos underneath the Whalebone Arch.
Prior to the main reception in the Town Hall, the happy couple visited the Day Centre at the KEMH to share some of their wedding cake with Stanley’s senior citizens. H. E. the Governor and Mrs. Pearce then hosted a party in the Town Hall for the general public. Students from the Infant/Junior School decorated the hall on a Dutch theme. Most striking were the hand-made pastel tulips that were made by the students.
All who witnessed the wedding and went along to the public reception had an excellent day. Thanks goes out to the bride and groom for including the whole public in their wedding day celebrations.
|
