West Sussex couple in Monty Python-themed wedding
Superfans John Wood and Gemma Harris even had spam on the wedding meal menu. …
Image copyright Hy Money To mark the 50th anniversary of the Monty Python team getting together, superfans John Wood and his bride Gemma Harris decided to theme their wedding on the classic comedy.
As well as references to various Monty Python scenes and films they performed their own recreation of the Buying a Bed sketch at the ceremony in West Sussex.
Image copyright John Wood Mr Wood said the wedding had taken two years to plan.
“Most people have no idea who Monty Python is, and they don’t understand it at all. Only a very small number of people will understand these little details and jokes,” he said.
The surreal comedy group was formed by John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Graham Chapman, and Michael Palin, and created long-running TV sketch show Monty Python’s Flying Circus and several films.
Image copyright John Wood 
Image copyright John Wood Even the menu followed the Monty Python theme, the East Grinstead couple said.
“The salmon moose is a reference to the salmon mouse which kills everybody at the end of The Meaning of Life,” John said.
“And of course we had to have spam,” said Gemma.
Image copyright John Wood John said he proposed to Gemma in front of Palin and Gilliam at a fundraising event.
Palin sent them a special wedding message saying: “I hope their marriage lasts as long as Monty Python, and is just as silly. Good wishes, Michael.”
John said Python actress Carol Cleveland had asked why she had not been invited “to which I replied ‘If you’d like to come, you’d be extremely welcome. We would be honoured'”.
“She replied, thanking me but saying she couldn’t come. The next thing I know, she was there to my utter shock – mind blown!”
Image copyright John Wood 
Image copyright John Wood “Gemma, who is a graphic designer, has created all sorts of amazing things. It’s like a Monty Python universe,” John said.
The wedding ceremony took place on Saturday in Sharpthorne in West Sussex with about 80 guests.
Gemma walked down the aisle to the Python theme music, including the fart noise ending.
“Then, we signed the register to the intermission music from Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” John said.
Image copyright Hy Money “I loved the fact Monty Python takes the serious side of life and a lot of the sketches look normal but there’s some ridiculous side of side that makes you look in a slightly different way,” he added.
“Once you’ve seen it, you can’t not see it any more.”
Image copyright John Ford The couple are planning to honeymoon at Doune Castle in Scotland, which featured in the Monty Python film, the Holy Grail.
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