Couple hitchhike to their wedding ceremony

Couple hitched a ride to their wedding ceremony

A last-minute adventure on the Brighton seafront

Chloe and George Gardner, a couple from Hatfield Peverel in Essex, faced a challenge on their wedding day when traditional transport options failed. Originally planning to wed at Brighton’s register office, they were left stranded on the seafront after struggling to secure a taxi. Multiple Uber drivers declined their request, and no black cab was available to pick them up.

The pair had intended to hire a black cab for photographs but discovered many nearby vehicles lacked proper licensing. A last-minute luxury car booking also proved unsuccessful, as all options were booked. Chloe recalled forgetting they had five people in total, leading to an oversight in pre-booking a larger vehicle. “I told my parents to get in the taxi and we would just call an Uber as they are usually pretty quick,” she explained.

After abandoning their plans, the couple began walking along the promenade to reach the venue. As they progressed, several drivers offered support, including Reggie, who was not a taxi operator. “It was a nice car and he seemed friendly so I went up to him and desperately asked him for a lift to the Town Hall,” Chloe said. “To my surprise, he accepted and we all got in!”

“I can look back and laugh now that we hitchhiked to our wedding!”

Footage of the incident was captured by Chloe’s friend Alice and shared on TikTok and Instagram, where it garnered widespread attention. The couple’s story highlights how unexpected challenges can lead to memorable moments. For updates, follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Share your story ideas with southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us at 08081 002250.