Gosport couple reminisce 'amazing' wedding at Explosion Museum

Kerry and Stephen on their wedding day. Picture: Carla Mortimer Photography

After a night out at The Barley Mow, Gosport, where the couple were introduced, they have not looked back.

‘Kerry makes me laugh all the time,’ says Stephen, smiling.

‘We moved in together after about six weeks.’

The happy couple pose for wedding photographs. Picture: Carla Mortimer Photography

The couple, who live in Gosport, clicked instantly – and both are from service families and were both born in Gibraltar.

Stephen, 38, says: ‘I proposed in 2015 in Rhodes.

‘I knew I never wanted to get married again and wanted to do this once so I made it extra special.

‘I secretly hired a chef, wine specialist and a private area of the hotel for the proposal. It was decorated with rose petals.

Kerry with her bridesmaids and friends. Picture: Carla Mortimer Photography

‘A lot of Kerry’s friends have said they are rather envious because their husbands didn’t do that.’

Married on October 29 a year later at the Explosion Museum, Gosport, Kerry – née O’Shea – and Stephen invited 70 day guests and 200 in the evening.

Stephen, who works as an electrician, explains: ‘Neither of us are that religious and I didn’t want it to be a traditional wedding. I wanted the guests to be able to do something.

‘Kerry’s family are Irish so there were a lot of aunts, uncles and cousins and many of the guests were from service backgrounds.

Stephen with his groomsmen. Picture: Carla Mortimer Photography

‘It was brilliant because the museum could stay open so guests could walk around it when there wasn’t something going on.’

And when asked about his favourite part of their wedding, Stephen says: ‘Seeing my wife was amazing.

“I didn’t want to turn around until she was standing next to me because you don’t get many surprises in life.

‘She looked stunning.

‘And seeing my daughter on the wedding day too was lovely.

‘We had a band called Ubermeister and they were absolutely superb.’

After their wedding, the Collins honeymooned in New York.

Stephen adds: ‘We have gone through quite a lot together.

“Unfortunately my mum sadly took her own life two months after we got married and Kerry supported me through everything.

‘I am now trying to raise awareness about mental health.

‘My wife is my biggest supporter.’