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Sydney ferry becomes Valentine’s love boat
Ray Windle kisses his new bride Jennifer Tucker after they tied the knot on board the Manly ferry on Valentine’sDay.
Sydney’s Manly ferry became a love boat on Valentine’s Day with 17 couples married aboard the iconic Sydney Harbour commuter.
February 14, 2018
A pair of loved-up ferry workers are among 17 couples who charted a course for married-life aboard a Sydney harbour ferry on Valentine’s Day.
Ray Windle, 49, and Jennifer Tucker, 50, who have almost 30 years’ service with NSW Ferries between them, dived in when the opportunity to tie the knot onboard the Manly ferry sailed their way.
“I’ve got my sea legs, I’m on the harbour every day and it’s amazing, so I thought why not get married here,” Ms Tucker told reporters.
The couple, who also got engaged onboard the Manly ferry on New Year’s Eve under the light of Sydney’s fireworks, were married in front of family, friends and commuters aboard the Collaroy ferry.
Mr Windle said the ceremony “fitted like a glove” and it was a “perfect day”.
“We’re on the most beautiful harbour in the world, we’re on the iconic Manly ferry and I’ve got a beautiful wife now,” Mr Windle said.
Sydney’s Manly ferry became a love boat on Valentine’s Day as 17 couples married aboard the iconic Sydney Harbour commuter.
The ‘love-boat’ ferry, bedecked with ribbons and bows, set sail from Circular Quay to Manly throughout Wednesday.
Valentine’s Day was the busiest of the year for Births Deaths and Marriages NSW.
Along with Mr Windle and Ms Tucker, celebrants married 81 couples, including 10 ceremonies for same-sex couples, in NSW at six locations.
BDM registrar Amanda Ianna said marrying couples on a moving boat in a pair of heels wasn’t without its challenges but she understood why so many chose the ferry for their nuptials.
“Why not get married with one of the most iconic places in the country in the background of your wedding,” Ms Ianna said.
However, the celebrant joked some of the couples and guests probably should have caught a ferry to Circular Quay.
“The first couple almost didn’t make it, they were caught in traffic,” Ms Ianna said.
“We counting down the minutes and when they finally got here they realised their best man wasn’t on board either – he was also stuck in traffic.”
“They were pulling out the plank as he was jumping on board.”