Jetstar wedding: Couple ties 37,000 feet in air between Australia and New Zealand
(CNN) – A New Zealand woman and a man from Australia took their love of aviation (and each other) to new heights by tying the knot 37,000 feet in the air.
Australian David Valliant and New Zealander Cathy Valliant officially said "I do" on a commercial Jetstar Flight 201 from Sydney to Auckland.
As the plane flew between their two countries, the married couple pledged their love and commitment to each other in a special ceremony at the front of the aircraft cabin. They tied the knot when they met midway between their homeland.
The couple married halfway between their home countries Australia and New Zealand.
Jetstar
A Jetstar crew member in Jetstar acted as officially as the aircraft's passengers and crew watched.
"It was the most amazing experience and something we will remember for the rest of our lives," said Cathy Valliant in a statement.
The pair met online in 2011 while playing the computer game "Airport City" and met in person for the first time two years later at the airport in Sydney.
"Our love of aviation is what brought us together," said Cathy.
The legal wedding ceremony took place at Sydney Airport before the start, but it was the ceremony in the sky that was truly memorable.
A few years later, her soon-to-be husband had planned to propose flights from Brisbane to Melbourne, but his nerves got the better of him, Cathy said. "He finally suggested that night," she added.
Cathy said she wanted to do "something truly memorable" for her wedding, and posted on Jetstar's Facebook page about her idea of getting on the air.
The pair are both aviation enthusiasts and first met at Sydney Airport where Cathy took a flight from New Zealand to meet her future groom.
Jetstar
"We wanted it to symbolize our love for aviation, our love for Australia and New Zealand and our love for each other. I thought: I would be rude and ask Jetstar," she said.
The airline agreed and arranged for the couple's dream wedding in the sky.
A Jetstar representative explains to CNN that "all customers [who had been booked on the flight] received an email in advance that it was going to be filmed," though The wedding details were not included. Travelers who wanted to change planes could do so at no cost.
"It was a very special occasion, and definitely the first time I've had a wedding in the air!" said Robyn Holt, the groundskeeper who served as the official. She agreed to perform the service free of charge.
"Being part of Cathy and David's day and celebrating their love and passion for aviation was unforgettable. The passengers liked being part of it too. "
Valliants resides in Melbourne.
