Groom rows across Atlantic for wedding in Barbados

Weddings abroad experts, Tropical Sky, are in ‘oar’ of their latest newly-wed couple. Neil Ward and Louise Robertson ‘tide’ the knot at Almond Beach Village in Barbados over the Valentine’s weekend after Neil rowed a mammoth 2,500 miles across the Atlantic for the ceremony!

Avid adventurer, Neil (38), and his team left the port of San Sebastian La Gomera in the Canary Islands on the 4 January 2010 on board the Britannia III as part of the Atlantic Rowing Race. After 39 challenging days at sea, Neil was forgiven for failing to show on time for the original wedding date.

Tropical Sky quickly rescheduled the ceremony which took place on Saturday 13 February on the beach at Almond Beach Village, a day later than planned. Neil’s crew formed a ‘guard of honour’ for the newlyweds with their oars.

Ski instructor, Louise (29), commented: “We had no idea where or how we wanted to get married. When Neil joked he'd row the Atlantic just to marry me, that was the idea that stuck. As the Caribbean venue was left to me, I threw down the gauntlet to Tropical Sky who have been amazing with their suggestions and planning – even down to being able to move the wedding to accommodate Neil’s late arrival - and I thought it was only the bride that had the right to be late on the wedding day!”

Steve Garley, Tropical Sky’s commercial director comments; “Tropical Sky has arranged some unusual weddings in the past; from ceremonies with elephants in Sri Lanka and with a Maasai Warrior in Kenya to saying nuptials on the tip of the Grand Canyon with a horse-drawn wagon for transport, but this one is definitely the most ‘row-mantic’. Neil really pushed the boat out!

“In celebration of Neil’s fantastic achievement, we’ve put together a special ‘Row-Mantic Caribbean Wedding Package’ – with only a one-way flight included! So if any other adventure junkies want to try their hand at crossing the Atlantic themselves, Tropical Sky already has the perfect solution.”

Tropical Sky’s ‘Row-Mantic Caribbean Wedding Package’ starts from £1,182 per person. The price includes seven nights all-inclusive in a deluxe pool/garden view room, one-way flights with Virgin Atlantic, resort transfers and a free wedding to incorporate ceremony charges, wedding coordinator, Champagne, wedding cake, flowers and more.

For further information visit tropicalsky.co.uk.