Merseyside couple spring surprise wedding at children’s christening

Mar 7 2011 by Laura Jones, Liverpool Echo

Paul & Heather Walker with their daughters Tess and Annie-Lou

A SURPRISE wedding ceremony left guests at a Merseyside Christening speechless.

Family and friends of Paul and Heather Walker travelled from Scotland, Dubai and Ireland to see their children, 18-month-old Tess and three-month-old Annie-Lou, Christened.

What they didn’t know as they filed into St Mary’s church in Eastham, Wirral, is that they were about to attend a wedding as well.

Paul’s overjoyed mum Mary Stead, a hospital team leader from Southport, said: “After the christening the Reverend said that Paul had a few words to say and he went over to Heather’s father Steve and asked, ‘Can I take your daughter’s hand in marriage?’

“They weren’t engaged so we were all thinking he was about to propose to Heather.

“But then Paul said, ‘I’m glad you’ve agreed because otherwise you’d have scuppered our plans. We’re getting married now.’

“I started crying. The Reverend said she had the best view because she could see all our faces."

Paul and Heather had been secretly planning their big day for three weeks without telling anyone, except Rev Beth Glover.

Paul, a 34-year-old caterer, told the ECHO: “Looking at the guest list for the christening and how far people were travelling to be there, we thought it was a long way.

“We were lying in bed one night and Heather said, ‘listen, shall we get married at the Christening?’