The day was April 5, 1984. John Luce and Jackie Walsh were newlyweds, their hearts brimming with joy.

Their wedding ceremony at St James Church had been a beautiful affair, filled with love and laughter. As they emerged from the church doors, ready to embark on their married life, a truly unexpected surprise awaited them.

Instead of the sleek wedding car they anticipated, a towering, majestic creature stood at the church gates.

Ginny, a fourteen-year-old camel, her coat a rich, camelhair hue, was the centre of attention.

The guests, including the groom's friends Henry Debrowski and Keith Perkins, erupted in laughter as Jackie's jaw dropped in astonishment.

"Oh my God!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with disbelief. "I'm not getting on that!"

But Ginny was not to be denied. With a mischievous glint in her eye, she knelt down, her long, spindly legs bending gracefully.

Henry and Keith, dressed in traditional sheikh attire, stepped forward, their faces beaming with amusement.

Jackie, despite her initial hesitation, couldn't resist the allure of the adventure. With a nervous laugh, she climbed aboard Ginny's back.


The sight of a newlywed couple riding a camel on their wedding day was nothing short of extraordinary.

The guests cheered, their laughter echoing through the air.

Ginny, sensing the excitement, began to trot, her rhythmic gait carrying the newlyweds away from the church.

The camel had been a surprise gift from Henry and Keith, who had met John in Saudi Arabia.

Impressed by the unique experience, they had hired Ginny for £150 from Longleat Safari Park.

The world's strongest-smelling wedding present, as some joked, had undoubtedly made the day unforgettable.

As John and Jackie rode off into the sunset, their hearts filled with love and a touch of the absurd, they knew that their wedding day would forever be remembered as one of the most extraordinary experiences of their lives.