The Royal Jubilee weekend was made all the more exciting for North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson and Jo Wheeler when they tied their knot in the Houses of Parliament on Saturday 2 June.
In August last year swindonlink.com reported that Justin, always nervous of heights, nearly fell off The Peak in Hong when Jo agreed to his proposal. He said: "I was quite dizzy when Jo said yes; it's a good thing she was holding on to me otherwise I might have fallen off the mountain."
He added that meeting Jo in March 2011 was a life changing moment. "I was speaking at a public meeting organised by Wanborough Parish Council and Covingham Parish Council to discuss the proposed Eastern Development of Swindon. Jo is the clerk to Covingham Parish Council and I knew there was something special between us as soon as we were introduced before the meeting. I made contact a couple of days later and we've been inseparable ever since. You could say it was love at first sight."
Before the big day Justin spent his stag weekend with 8 friends including some MPs in Prague, engaged in go karting, summer bobsleigh and all manner of manly going-ons far from the prying lenses of the paparazzi.
Jo and friends spent several pampered days at the Longleat Centre Parcs spa. But, it's said, she was seen dressed as Margaret Thatcher.
On Saturday the couple were wed in the 13th Century St Mary's Undercroft beneath the Houses of Parliament, with a drinks reception in the Speaker's Stateroom, a wedding breakfast in the members dining room and an evening reception on the House of Common's terrace.
Justin's MP friend Andrew Percy, MP for Brigg and Goole was the best man, though Justin was hoping his speech was not going to be too revealing. Anticipating embarrassments from the past he said: "I imagine I'll be cringing with what he says. MPs are great speakers and can talk about more or less anything and I'm expecting Andrew to dredge up a lot of things I'd prefer to be lost in the mists of time. I'm sure our guests will be greatly entertained at my expense.
"But there is no question. I'm a very lucky boy. Jo is a wonderful person and we love each other hugely."
The couple are enjoying their honeymoon in the Mauritius, but they only travelled there after Sunday's grand royal river pageant down the Thames. No doubt they will enjoy the sun of the Indian ocean after the overcast and wet days of early June.
Article taken from Swindon Link: http://www.swindonlink.com/news/swindon-mp-weds-in-parliament-this-saturday
