MAD MARRIAGE: Our wacky wedding was simply hay-venly

As a new colleague walked past my desk, I whispered to a friend, Whos that dishy guy? His name was Ben and he was tall and smart. His smile lit up the office and he struck me as a really down-to-earth guy who was not afraid to make fun of himself.

We met for drinks one night, and had such a laugh my sides were splitting. By November 2001, we were dating. Ben, 35, was so affectionate, and paid me so much attention, I felt I was living a dream life. But after a couple of months he dropped a bombshell.

I cant stand work any more, I need to get away, he said, exhausted after another day at the office we both worked as policy advisors for the Country Landowners Association. My heart sank as he said, I want to go to America. He was obsessed with snowboarding and had wanted to coach others in California for a while. He suggested I go with him, but Im not the sort of person to travel halfway around the world on a whim. I could see he was disappointed, but

a few weeks later, he flew to America alone. We promised wed keep in touch. He sent me letters every week about his snowy adventures, saying he missed me, but I couldnt help feeling alone.

Then one day he called me. Hi, Bev. Ive missed you loads and Im coming home, he said. I was overjoyed at the news after spending four months apart. He said the season had finished and hed had enough. I was thrilled and when I met him at the airport, I realised the time apart had made us closer.

Christmas was fast approaching and we spent the day separately at our family homes. Ben had showered me with gifts and I was under strict instructions not to open them until Christmas Day.

The fourth present was a card. I could feel it was one of those talking cards. I opened it. Bens voice blurted out: Bev, Ive only got 10 seconds so Ill keep it quick Will you marry me?

The question knocked me sideways. Then I realised there was another gift for me to open a diamond-encrusted Celtic engagement ring. I frantically dialled Bens number. Yes! Yes! Of course Ill marry you! I gushed. My family were so happy for me.

In the new year, we started to plan our wedding. Wed both set our hearts on doing something different. Then I remembered a trip to Germany where Id seen two giant straw bale statues of people in a field. The image stuck in my mind because it was so unique. I showed Ben a photo Id taken of them. Thats it! he beamed. We decided to create statues of a bride and groom in a field. Most couples are happy with miniature statues on their wedding cake, but not us.

We held the reception at my parents farm in Gloucestershire. Ben had recently gone back to his old job as a thatcher, so his eyes lit up at the prospect of playing with bales of straw. He got together with my dad, using the straw at my dads farm to create bales.

It was a bit of a last-minute effort they only started building it the day before the wedding. While I was busy organising hairdressers and caterers, Ben and my dad built the giant statues in the field.

I burst out laughing when I saw the figures. The bride wore a big white dust sheet. Ben had used a blue sheep marker to spray on a necklace and an old fertiliser sack was the veil. It was hilarious. The grooms tuxedo was made of two silage bales while his top hat was a bucket. My mum thought it was wonderful. We even had people in their cars stopping on the main road wanting to have a look they caused quite a stir.

The next morning my carriage pulled up outside the house to drive me to the church it was a tractor. We chugged into the village, the locals watching me go by in my white gown sitting on the back of a grey 1950s Ferguson. It was the slowest ride ever, but it was good fun. The guests outside the church cheered when I arrived.

After our beautiful ceremony, Ben and I rode to the farm. Some people already knew about the straw statues, but those who didnt were so surprised. Everyone remarked at how fabulous they were. At 14ft they towered over the marquee. People were queuing up to have their picture taken with them and kids were trying to climb up them. Thank goodness they didnt topple over.

I hugged Ben. Its been a special day, thank you, I smiled.

After the wedding, Ben destroyed the statues himself and put the straw back in the barn on the farm to be reused. It was sad to see them go, but theyd served their purpose in making our wedding day so special. I dont know whether Ben will be building any more straw statues I wouldnt put it past him, hes a bit eccentric. Perhaps I have a surprise in store on our wedding anniversary thatd be fun

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