Will it be a Happy Meal?

by Thom Morris

You might think it burgers belief but Ashford couple Annie Terry and Mark Balson tied the knot before heading to McDonald's for their wedding breakfast reception.

The couple, of Leaveland Close, Stanhope, were joined by their supersized 25-strong entourage - including the fries-maids - at the Orbital Park drive-through on Saturday afternoon.

Once the ceremony at Willesborough Windmill was complete, the couple were chauffeured down to the burger bar which is opposite the VW car showroom.

Annie, 28, still in her flowing white wedding dress, ordered food including a McChicken Sandwich meal for herself.

Suited and booted groom Mark, 33, opted for a Big Mac meal.

Unfortunately there was no room for a first dance.

Childminder Annie, who met Mark in Elwick Road car park in 2006, said: "It was a brilliant day and everyone really enjoyed it.

"Mark came up with it because McDonald's is our favourite restaurant.

"We had a look on the internet and we'd seen that other people in America and China had been doing it so I just thought 'why not do it here?'"

The newlyweds, who each have two children, went on to spend a "good hour" in the fast-food drive-through.

In January, couples were invited to tie the knot at the fast-food chain in Hong Kong after calls from people desperate to wed there.

All wedding parties, however, are alcohol-free as booze is banned from the family-friendly restaurants.

Instead of the traditional tiered wedding cake you get a mountain of apple pies.

Mark and Annie were treated like Royale-ty

McDonald's manager Christian Goddard allowed the pair to kiss beneath the Golden Arches.

She said: "I have to say it generated an awful lot of excitement.

"It's certainly unusual and to my knowledge this is the first wedding reception we've had.

"Everyone was quite excited to see her outside in her wedding dress and when she came in everyone wanted to have a look.

"It's certainly a novel way of having a wedding reception," he added.

Following their unconventional nuptials, the pair went on to the Julie Rose Stadium for their reception and plan to honeymoon at Longleat at the end of July.