The first of three Exmouth RNLI volunteers to tie the knot this summer, Andrew Stott (35) is in his sixteenth year as a crew member at Exmouth RNLI.

He joined the crew following his older brother, Karl and was subsequently followed by his twin brother, Roy. During his service he has received the Golden Jubilee medal and more recently the Queens Diamond Jubilee medal. Andrew now works in maritime security as a coxswain of an armed patrol vessel in the Middle East, as do his brothers.

Andrew and his new wife, Susie (40) who works for the NHS as a Telecommunications Manager, married at Lakeview Manor in Dunkeswell Honiton on June 2, the day of the Queens Diamond Jubilee. Son Finn (9) gave Susie away and daughter Poppy (11) sang ‘Make you feel my love’ for the entrance of the bride. Andrew’s father, Tony acted as best man and Susie’s four bridesmaids, including Poppy were close family friends.

Due to a large attendance of friends with children, 200 guests in all, the wedding reflected the couple and was a fun family occasion. The event had a Cadbury Purple and Hot Pink Fete theme including: bouncy castle, hook a duck, Coconut Shy, Laser Clay Shooting, popcorn, candy floss,  magician, balloon modelling, face-painting, sweetie stall and a Photo booth for the adults.

Andrew and Susie left for honeymoon on the following Monday, (after squeezing in the Elton John concert in Taunton on Sunday). The month long honeymoon of a lifetime involved Thailand, a tour of Australia and the return journey via Singapore.

Speaking of his globe-trotting lifestyle, he comments:

‘Probably the hardest thing about coming home is to acclimatise to the weather conditions again. When I’m used to wearing shorts and flip-flops for my working life in 48 degrees celsius, it takes a while to get used to wearing my yellows again.’