Louise and Wil Gardner are both big fans of running.
They met while at a training session at their local running club back in 2015, bonded over their mutual love of going out for a jog, and often head for runs together.
So it only made sense for running to play a part in their wedding day.
Rather than sprinting down the aisle or attempting to say their vows while completing a marathon, the couple option for the far more sensible choice of replacing their first dance with a 5k run around the park.
Louise and Wil invited 60 or so guests to attend their big day on 14 September, requesting that they wore their best sweatpants and running gear.
After the ceremony the couple and their guests headed to the startline of Newy Parkrun, in Newcastle, Australia, in time for the race at 8am.
Wil wore a waistcoat and shirt with his trainers, while Louise paired hers with a white gown. They were joined by their guests along with 622 other runners for a dash around Thoresby Creek.
Once everyone was done, it was time for a catered breakfast in the park.
Wil and Louise first met in 2015 during a hill session at their local running club in Newcastle.
She moved to Australia in 2006 to live with her then-husband, but that relationship broke down. She was going through a divorce when she met Wil.
Wil was in a relationship when he met Louise and said they had an ‘initial connection’ but remained just friends for 18 months, running together often.
When Wil’s relationship ended in mid-2017, he decided to ask Louise out for a lunch date.
Louise said: ‘The running link kept us connected and the more we ran together the more I realised I liked him.’
The pair went on to have a daughter, who’s now one year old, and on holiday in Kyoto, Japan in 2018, Wil proposed.
At first the idea of going running on their wedding day was a joke, but the couple fell in love with the concept.
Wil said: ‘Running brought us together and this was the perfect way for us to get married – it just had to be.
‘At first I suggested it as a joke but Louise loved the idea.
‘We didn’t want to create a massive fuss so we decided not to have a first dance and to run the race instead.
‘It was magical, a lot of fun and so beautiful with all of our friends and family there.
‘It shows the power of running and what it can help to achieve.
‘Lots of good things have come from running and this is just one of them. It’s much better than any dating app.’
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source https://metro.co.uk/2019/10/18/bride-groom-met-running-replace-wedding-dance-5k-10941252/
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