When Paul Harkness and Vanessa Smith tied the knot, they did it in some style with a theme of cocktails by the sea on the golden sands of Manly Beach, Sydney.
It was an entirely fitting celebration for the couple, who met on Sydney Harbour during an international boat show, and who both live and work in the Australian city.
For the groom, Sydney is a world away from the Morton Park and Belle Vue areas of Carlisle where he grew up. Paul left Morton School at the age of 16, in 1993, and spent a brief period working in retail and in car sales at Rosehill, before spending a summer season working in Malta where he caught the travel and working around water bug.
Returning to the UK, he ended up working at Phones 4U in Carlisle, but in 2002 his working holiday visa was granted for Australia and Sydney has been his home ever since.
Two years later, Paul started his own yacht management company called 33 South Luxury Yacht Solutions which specialises in managing privately owned, 50 to 100 ft motor yachts.
He said: “I originally met Vanessa when she worked for me during Sydney international boat show in 2013. Vanessa now manages a brand new marina in Sydney but still is somehow able to help me a lot with my business. She's incredibly supportive!
“I still try to visit Carlisle every two to three years to see mum, dad, my sister and nephews and love catching up with my old mates there whenever I do.”
Paul’s best man on his special day, Lee Fyfe, also hails from Carlisle. The pair have been friends since they were at Morton School together as 11 year olds. Lee also lives in Australia.
Vanessa Smith, 32, marina manager, and Paul Harkness, 39, director of Luxury Yacht Solutions, formerly of Carlisle, live in Sydney, Australia
HOW THEY MET: They met through a mutual colleague on Sydney Harbour.
FIRST DANCE: You’re My Best Friend, Queen.
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