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Sept. 22, 2006 “Our
Wedding in the Clouds”
 In
October 2003, I met a man named Terry from Chicago who booked my South
Africa safari. Three years later, we married on the aircraft where
we had met. I believe such an event was a first for the aviation
industry.
Three years later I neatly packed a wedding gown, full tiered veil, shoes,
bridal accessories and
floral bouquet all to fit into a small bag like a skilled engineer.
(I
abhor wrinkles and this is my greatest fear above all that can go
wrong.) And with new TSA restrictions on cosmetics and toiletries, my
biggest challenge was attempting to smuggle them onboard. I prayed that
the TSA’s wouldn’t do a pat down as I had strategically dispersed them
on my body. It went without a hitch as I boarded our 17 hour flight
from Washington DC to Johannesburg.
On arrival, chaos
ensued due to problems with our next boarding passes into Cape Town. A
long story made short, most of our group of 45 was bumped and split on
to 3 different flights. Terry and I had to catch flt #2973. I lost him
in the masses as an agent rushed me through security to board our plane
that was waiting for us. It was 25 minutes late. The problem was I
had no groom apparently because he got bumped from the flight!
Intoxicated with jet lag, I collapsed like an umbrella into my seat. My
stress reached its crescendo to a point where I could only surrender to
whatever was to be. Minutes later, Terry arrives breathless and doors
are latched for take off.. He takes the last empty seat row’s behind
me. We were clueless of procedure for this special event until a flight
attendant knelt down to whisper “don’t worry Suzy, we’ve anxiously
awaited your wedding for two days.”
When we leveled
off, the crew escorted me to the back and instructed me to change into
my bridal attire while they did a beverage service. Not an easy feat in
an aircraft lavatory. I had to do yoga positions to get into my
stockings.
Then all activity
stopped. The purser announces over the PA for all passengers to remain
seated. As I began to walk up the aisle, he read “Since ships sailed
the 7 seas, captains have enjoyed the privilege of joining 2 people in
matrimony. As world travelers, Terry and Suzy spend half their lives
inflight. On this day 3 years ago they met on South Africa Airways
(SAA) and are honored to be able to share their vows here today.” I
joined Terry who was dressed in his tux standing next to SAA Captain
Richard Holdengarde who did our nuptials. I believe he was as nervous
as me while he read our vows. It was beautiful and I shed some tears of
joy.
Terry and I then
walked down the aisle as all applauded. The media was onboard. We were
moved up to first class for interviews and photo while the meals were
served. We were presented with some lovely South African gifts from
SAA. The crew distributed our wedding favors for all. On deplaning, we
were met by the airline management and did some PR photos outside the
aircraft. Entering baggage claim, people stared at us in
wonderment. The event was enjoyed by all and certainly a dream
come true for us. As a former flight attendant of 14 years it was
a dream come true for me.
I collected my
group, loaded the coach and checked them into the beautiful Cape Sun
Hotel. The manager assigned Terry and I the penthouse suite on the 32nd
floor with spectacular views of Table Mountain. There were 5 rooms,
sunken jacuzzi, dozens of roses, endless fruit, cheeses, chocolates as
well as champagne and local wines which we gave to our group. Exhausted
by then all we could do was to conk out into our king size bed for a
blissful sleep.
We later learned
from locals enroute that our little wedding in the air was broadcast on
the news and announced nationally in all the country’s newspapers.
Imagine that, we became famous for a moment in the land of the Zulu. My
company, Adventures For Singles Inc., has given South African Airways a
lot of group business throughout the years and they provided us this
opportunity more as a favor than for publicity. It was a once in a
lifetime experience and we remain forever grateful and loyal to them.
High-flying South African wedding for US lovebirds
Thu Sep 28, 3:04 PM ET
 An
American couple said "I do" in a high-flying wedding ceremony over South
Africa on the same flight and the same day they met exactly four years
ago.
"Suzy Davis and Terry Pawelko from Atlanta, Georgia exchanged vows and
were 'married' by SAA Captain Richard Holdengarde" on the Johannesburg
to Cape Town flight, South African Airways said in a statement.
"Davis donned a simple, elegant white wedding gown and veil" while
"Pawelko was kitted out in a tuxedo," for the five minute-ceremony that
was sealed with a kiss, said the statement received by AFP on Thursday.
The couple, who own a singles adventure company, followed up with an
official church wedding in Cape town since the in-flight nuptials could
not be legally recognized, SAA said.
Davis and Pawelko "met on the same flight they were married on, exactly
four years ago to the day," according to the airlines.
Copyright © 2006
Agence France Presse.
All rights reserved. The information contained in the AFP News report
may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the
prior written authority of Agence France Presse.
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