Jackie Burns was in for a major surprise when her groom organised the most eccentric wedding day to feature on BBC Three’s Don’t Tell The Bride.
After spending three hours getting her hair and make-up done on the morning of the special day, a car was sent to whisk her away. But instead of being taken to a picturesque venue or church, she was dropped off at Strathallan Airfield for a 13,000ft skydive.
The shocked Jackie commented: “I seriously thought I would die before I got the chance to become a bride. I was so angry, but my mum Carol persuaded me I would always regret it if I said no. I don’t know where he got the idea from.”
Nevertheless, windswept Jackie admitted it was one of the best things she has ever done: “The jump was amazing. The minute I hit the ground, I forgave him for making me do it on my big day.”
As if that weren’t enough, John had arranged for a Christmas-themed reception, complete with a large cake shaped as a nose (to tease his bride since she had always wanted a nose job) and cat-covered toilet seats (she loves felines).
After the humanist ceremony at the lovely Strathallan Castle, the bride was then taken to the Kirkintilloch Miners Welfare and Social Club where the couple first met six years ago.
Jackie said: “I was so angry I didn’t want to get out of the car. The Miners is OK for a quick drink but not a wedding. But when I saw the room, my anger disappeared. I love Christmas and John had decorated the whole place like a classy winter wonderland.”
The groom also chose his bride’s dress (which he picked in 10 minutes and got his best man to model) and spent a fair portion of the wedding budget to fly her best friend in from Australia.
The sporting bride concluded: “There were times when I wanted to kill John but once the shock wore off, I realised he had got everything spot on. I couldn’t have arranged it better myself.”
