Whitehead couple prove they are ‘hooked’ on each other with nautical wedding

Jenny and Peter Gow chose a unique fishing theme for their nuptials in the village on Saturday past.

From the denim dress code to bespoke ring finger tattoos, the quirky wedding even saw the groom, a fisherman, travel to the venue by boat.

Jenny told the Carrick Times: “We met through [dating website] Plenty of Fish and we’ve been together for two and a half years.

“Because we’re both in our 60s we decided that we wanted to do it our own way rather than have anything formal; we just wanted something nice and relaxed.

“There were no invitations sent out; we just told people that it would be happening.”

The big day saw Bangor man Peter sail across Belfast Lough in a yellow Rib, where he was met by a piper at the Whitehead shore.

Along with guests, he joined his bride-to-be at a halfway point on the promenade, which was strewn with denim bunting for the occasion.

“My wedding dress was denim and it was designed by Pat Thompson from Boneybefore; Peter had a waistcoat made out of a pair of old Levi’s,” added Jenny, a teacher at Carrickfergus Central Primary School.

“We went to Willy Grattan and had small intertwined fish hook tattoos done on our ring fingers.”

The couple’s marriage ceremony took place on the balcony of their Marine Parade apartment, timed at 1pm to coincide with high tide.

A reception followed at the Whitecliff Inn, where guests were treated to a hog roast by local butcher McMaster’s and music from Otis and the Elevators, Billy Harrison, and Jimmy Mac.

“My sons flew in from Australia and London and there were family and friends from Edinburgh, France and California. Everyone who we wanted to be there, was there and it was just perfect,” Jenny said.

Meanwhile, the newlyweds are making the most of the seaside setting with a ‘honeymoon at home’. “I didn’t want to go away while my sons were still here and besides, there was nothing traditional about the wedding!” laughed Jenny.