Liz and Harold tie the knot but all is not as it seems in spoof wedding

But all was not as it seemed, with the ‘big day’ an elaborate, but highly entertaining, spoof ceremony to raise money for Chest Heart and Stroke.

The wedding was the brainchild of local women Liz Beggs and Tracey Whiteside, who approached family and friends with their innovative fundraising idea.

They had already decided that the proceeds - the final total was £2,800 - would go to Tracey’s brother, John McNally, of the Stonebridge Brasserie, and Geoffrey Vogan, Portadown Fireplaces, 
for their fundraising
 work.

Geoffrey, who had always kept himself fit, suffered a heart attack in 2012 and since then he has supported NI Chest Heart and Stroke.

Liz played the blushing bride while the groomsman was Harold Twinem, who works in Tom Moses Exclusive Interiors in Woodhouse Street.

Thomas Vaughan, who owns the Tom Moses shop, gave the bride away and cut a striking figure in a 
colourful Italian designer 
suit.

He said, “I bought the suit in McQuillan’s a couple of years ago. I never thought I would wear it - I just liked to look at it - but when the wedding was mentioned I knew I had the ideal outfit already in the wardrobe!”

The bride, of course, was stunning in white while Harold was resplendent in a three-piece, chalk-stripe suit.

The bride was attended by bridesmaids Maggie Donnelly, Karen Cameron, Sonya McCandless and Diane McLernon.

The ceremony at the Stonebridge Brasserie was conducted by ‘vicar’ Paul McCord, who read the marriage vows from the Beano annual, and the 70 guests enjoyed champagne and canapes as well as a three-course 
meal.

Said Liz, “It was a hoot. We had people cheering and waving as we drove down the Armagh Road and the vicar was so funny.”

Thomas agreed. “It was such a colourful, fun day 
and just a splendid and different way to raise 
money.”