Whitton vicar enjoys Big Fat Gypsy Wedding - Surrey

From yourlocalguardian.co.uk

A Whitton vicar has spoken out in defence of the travelling community after marrying a couple set to star in My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding.

Margaret Doran (nee Hanrahan) and Miley Doran, of Croydon, both 18, were given a blessing by Reverend Stephen Caple at St Augustine’s Church in Whitton on Friday, August 31, after marrying in a register office earlier that day.

Rev Caple said: “The travelling community are often seen in a bad light but the people I met were lovely to meet. Yes, their traditions may be a bit different but do we not welcome and promote diversity in our multicultural society?”

Despite a lovely service, a huge number of fellow Travellers turned up at the wedding reception at the Park Inn Hotel, in West Drayton, where a gatecrasher was allegedly slashed on the face.

However, wedding planner Sally Cherri, from Bomboniera Events, said the incident did not ruin the day and the party carried on once riot police and security had the situation under control.

She said: “Everything was going really, really well, and then at 11pm people started flooding in. I was getting a bit worried.”

Mrs Cherri said she could see why people were worried about being involved with a gypsy wedding because they could be hectic, but said she had a great time organising the wedding and would definitely do it again.

She said: “They are really lovely people. I had a really great time and had no problems with them.”

Mrs Cherri put on a gold and pink themed wedding for the couple, featuring table decorations of illuminated crystal balls and feathers.

Mrs Doran’s mother Anne Marie Hanrahan, who lives in Bishop’s Grove in Hampton, where Mrs Doran has just moved from, said the day went really well.

Mrs Hanrahan said: “She really enjoyed the day. It went really well, it was lovely.”

The show is likely to air next year as part of six Gypsy-themed one-off specials. Channel 4 bosses have said they had no plan to make any more series.