UK Wedding News
20/03/2012
Robert and Alex Ballard and their 50 guests where forced to flee Ryde Castle Hotel on Saturday when the fire broke out.
Six fire crews tackled the blaze overnight.
Owner Greene King told the BBC: "It certainly appears possible that the fireworks were the cause but we will have to wait for a full investigation by the fire service to be completed to get all the facts."
The newlyweds and guests where forced to get the ferry back to Portsmouth
Speaking to the broadcaster, Mrs Ballard, 21, said: "We thought it was perfect, a fairytale venue so we both saved for about a year-and-a-half to pay for it.
"The day was fantastic, it was so perfect I cried a little. We had the fireworks from the roof top then everyone went back into the function room for a disco and buffet."
The fire alarm began to ring as they were on the dance floor.
Mr Ballard, 23, told the BBC: "The hotel staff said there was no fire in the building and suspected a guest had set the alarm off for a joke.
"But then it began ringing again five minutes later and the staff said everyone had to get out."
Mrs Ballard continued: "I just picked up my two-year-old daughter Lilly and left the castle. At first it didn't seem to be a big fire but it just got worse and worse. I didn't know if my dad had got out OK at the time.
"Thankfully no one was injured but we've probably lost our wedding certificate, about half of our wedding presents and all of the belongings we had with us, as have our guests.
"Everyone was so kind. The church provided us with tea and coffee, blankets as well as milk and nappies for Lilly and pyjamas for me so I could take my wedding dress off.
"We finally all got back to Robert's dad's house in Gosport at about 4am.
"It feels like two different days, before the fire it was perfect then it was disastrous. I know they say you want a day to remember but not like that.
"It was just unfortunate. Everyone on the island including the hotel staff have been so helpful."
Mr Ballard added: "I feel like our wedding day has been stolen from us."
The couple did not take out wedding insurance.
(GK)
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Fire Destroys 'Fairytale Wedding'
A bride and groom have escaped a blaze at their 'fairytale' venue on the Isle of Wight.Robert and Alex Ballard and their 50 guests where forced to flee Ryde Castle Hotel on Saturday when the fire broke out.
Six fire crews tackled the blaze overnight.
Owner Greene King told the BBC: "It certainly appears possible that the fireworks were the cause but we will have to wait for a full investigation by the fire service to be completed to get all the facts."
The newlyweds and guests where forced to get the ferry back to Portsmouth
Speaking to the broadcaster, Mrs Ballard, 21, said: "We thought it was perfect, a fairytale venue so we both saved for about a year-and-a-half to pay for it.
"The day was fantastic, it was so perfect I cried a little. We had the fireworks from the roof top then everyone went back into the function room for a disco and buffet."
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The fire alarm began to ring as they were on the dance floor.
Mr Ballard, 23, told the BBC: "The hotel staff said there was no fire in the building and suspected a guest had set the alarm off for a joke.
"But then it began ringing again five minutes later and the staff said everyone had to get out."
Mrs Ballard continued: "I just picked up my two-year-old daughter Lilly and left the castle. At first it didn't seem to be a big fire but it just got worse and worse. I didn't know if my dad had got out OK at the time.
"Thankfully no one was injured but we've probably lost our wedding certificate, about half of our wedding presents and all of the belongings we had with us, as have our guests.
"Everyone was so kind. The church provided us with tea and coffee, blankets as well as milk and nappies for Lilly and pyjamas for me so I could take my wedding dress off.
"We finally all got back to Robert's dad's house in Gosport at about 4am.
"It feels like two different days, before the fire it was perfect then it was disastrous. I know they say you want a day to remember but not like that.
"It was just unfortunate. Everyone on the island including the hotel staff have been so helpful."
Mr Ballard added: "I feel like our wedding day has been stolen from us."
The couple did not take out wedding insurance.
(GK)
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