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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Amy Walters & Julia Banim

Mum has Disney-themed wedding for just £500 - and watched film 50 times to prepare

A woman who describes herself and her husband as 'theme fanatics' decided to opt for a Disney-themed wedding, watching their chosen film inspiration a grand number of 50 times beforehand so as to properly replicate each scene. 'Queen of themes' Karen Jackson, decided upon the 2009 movie Up as the theme for their special day, which saw the couple sign the wedding register as the instrumental theme tune 'Married Life' played out.

The Up-themed wedding cake bore a topper that read 'You are my greatest adventure', while their wedding guest book was made to look like the Adventure Book from the film. All in all, the couple spent just £500 on their special day, which made Karen feel as though she 'was living within the movie'.

The couple watched the movie every week in the run-up to their big day (Jam Press)
The entire venue was decorated with bright balloons (Jam Press)

The Disney -loving mum-of-two watched Up every week in the run-up to the big day - approximately 50 times - keeping her planner nearby to take note of any particular elements she wanted to include.

Karen, from Sheffield, said: "We ended up buying teapots in the shape of houses and other cheap items from charity shops and had a lady provide the balloons, which were just like in the movie.

"There were multi-coloured sashes on the chairs and the night before the wedding, my two bridesmaids and best friends surprised me with a hamper full of all my favourite things in an 'Up'-style box – it was beautiful.

"We decorated the entire venue in bright balloons and gave guests 'Wilderness' badges just like the character Russell. I attached mine to my garter, while Gareth's was placed on his pocket square."

The cake looked as though it had been 'copied and pasted' from the movie (Jam Press)
Karen felt as though she 'was living within the movie'. (Jam Press)

Upholstery cleaner Karen continued: "I felt a fluttery feeling in my heart which transported me back to when we first watched the film and heard the music. That music always makes us a bit emotional, so we looked at each other and started welling up with tears. I felt like I was living within the movie and as if I had transported myself into the character of Ellie with all these lovely themed gifts.

"My sister-in-law, Kath, made the most incredible cake replica, which was too pretty to cut. The topper read: 'You are my greatest adventure' and the figures were spot on. I felt like she had copied and pasted it from the movie, it was amazing."

The couple are self-proclaimed 'theme fanatics' (Jam Press)

The couple tied the knot on August 26th, 2021. Karen had been anxious beforehand about how her guests would react, but it turned out she needn't have feared.

The new bride recalled: "I felt apprehensive because I didn't think everyone would know what the theme was, but relief and happiness washed over me as I realised they recognised it.

"I think they noticed it was like our love story and that we're celebrating our new chapter together, just like Ellie and Carl. We wanted it to be a fun wedding and everyone had a good laugh. I've since even painted our coffee table with Disney characters and the house from Up."

Going forward, the newlyweds have no plans to stop their love of themes anytime soon, and next year intend to go to Disney World dressed as Mickey and Minnie.

Do you have an interesting wedding story to share? Email us at julia.banim@reachplc.com

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