A quick-thinking junior rower came to the rescue of a newly married couple after strong winds blew the bride’s veil straight into the River Great Ouse during a photoshoot on the Embankment.
Steve and Tina Appleford, who met online in 2021, celebrated their wedding at The Swan Hotel on Friday (18 September) with close friends and family.
While taking portraits along the riverbank, sudden high winds caught the wedding party completely off guard.
River rescue
Tina recalled, “Steve thought it was a bird and ducked down before realising it was my veil as it landed straight into the water.
“I was totally unfazed by the whole thing, but I really thought the veil was going to sink to the bottom and be lost forever.”
Fortunately, Star Club Rowing junior member Louie Balen was out on the river at that exact moment and pulled the veil safely out of the water.
After Tina called out in the We Are Bedford community group on Facebook to find the rower so she could thank him, Louie’s mother, Tracy, confirmed it was him.
‘That was my son Louie. He told us all about it at dinner. He was so pleased he could help you out, [it] made his day,’ she wrote.
Tina told the Bedford Independent, “I was very surprised it was returned safely to us on the bank. It made our day, and we want to pass on a huge thank you to him.”
Unexpected tint
Despite the successful river rescue, the veil took an unexpected turn once the wedding festivities wrapped up.
Tina explained, “The veil was completely fine at first after it was washed, but then it turned green. Regardless, we had a brilliant rest of our day with everyone.”
Colour issues aside, the couple are now moving house before setting off on a short trip to Norfolk with their dog for a honeymoon.
Tina also thanked Laird and Lens Photography for capturing the memorable moment as it unfolded along the river.
