"A penguin was my best man": Portchester couple tie the knot in "magical" and "unique" ceremony on secluded Antarctica spot
Travel has been the beating heart of a couple who first met while exploring the treasures of Moscow in 2018—and later found themselves unexpectedly tying the knot in one of the most secluded corners of the world.
Allen and Sarah Harvey, from Portchester, have celebrated two years of marriage after saying ‘I do’ while stood on the southernmost continent, with only the “magical” and “eerie” sounds of ice cracking to keep them company.
The couple, who have both travelled to more than 60 countries, met whilst holidaying in the capital city of Russia eight years ago, where they bonded over their passion for exploring the world.
Allen moved from Scotland to Hampshire two years later, and after toying with the idea of booking their dream trip to Antarctica, the pair took the plunge and booked a 23-day expedition onboard Ocean Diamond.
The duo started “saving like hell” to fund the three week trip which took them to 23 places including Carcass Island, West Point Island and St Andrews Bay.
The 38-year-old said: “I proposed in Venice. It was off the cuff really. I had the ring in my pocket and I didn’t know when to do it and we had Antarctica already booked.
“It was a Polar expedition. It was something we had always fancied doing together and was so special - We contacted the company to see if it was possible to get married there.
“To their knowledge, people generally got married on research stations and onboard the ships and I asked if we could do a ceremony actually on the snow on the continent and they weren’t sure if it was possible due to weather and safety.”
On January 3, 2023 - after kayaking with a pod of humpback whales and stepping foot on the continent for the first time - the expedition crew informed Allen and Sarah they could get married the same day.
“The organiser said to us ‘right you are getting married today’. It was ten o’clock at night, but because it was 24 hour sunlight, we had completely lost track of time”, Allen explained.
With only a celebrant, Emily Burke, and photographer Yves Adams by their side, Allen and Sarah donned their survival suits and sailed to a secluded piece of land, where they exchanged “emotional” vows at the edge of the world.
Allen continued: “It was so magical. It was just us. There was an eery silence to it. It’s hard to explain and I just thought ‘I’m actually doing this’.
“It was just so magical and all we could hear was the ice breaking and cracking, and out of nowhere this penguin popped out as we were getting married. I guess he was the best man in a tuxedo.
“It was probably the best day I have ever had in my life, not just because I got married but the things we got to see. We were kayaking and I’m petrified of the water and there was humpback whales putting on a display - and on our wedding day we actually went on the land so I could tick off my 7th continent.
“I just think it is so unique. When we got back to the ship we had a little party and cake and then we spoke to the captain and the expedition company and asked how many people have been married in this fashion and the captain said he only knew of four people but they were all married on the deck of a ship.
“So we could potentially be the first people to ever get married there.”
After “keeping it very quiet”, Allen and Sarah shocked their friends and family with the incredible news that they managed to tie the knot in one of the most “unique” ways possible.
Upon returning home, the Hampshire couple also had a ceremony at Portchester Castle where they swapped their survival suits for a white dress and traditional Scottish kilt.