A Yellow Welly guard of honour surprises Looe RNLI newlyweds

Saturday 20 June 2026, in a cliff top setting overlooking Millendreath, saw the wedding of two Looe RNLI volunteer crew members Amber and Alex. As the couple exchanged vows, 10 crew mates from the station hid in the background. As the ceremony ended the newly wed couple turned to acknowledge the applause of family and friends when they were surprised to see a guard of honour with Looe RNLI crew wearing drysuits and lifejackets forming an arch from gig boat oars festooned with yellow wellies. With beaming smiles and laughter, the happy couple walked through the guard of honour followed by family and friends.

Recalling the moment, Amber says “I caught a glimpse of a yellow welly on what appeared to be a pole in the air and then a red jacket before realising what was going on.” In thanking the crew for this gesture, the couple both said they didn’t know how the crew were able to keep this a secret until the very last minute.

Amber’s father, Clive, who is Looe RNLI’s Lifeboat Operations Manager, commented on how proud he was to see the crew marching down to form the arch of oars and wellies. He goes on to say that it is has been an amazing Father’s day weekend, with giving away his daughter in marriage to Alex, celebrating the day with family and friends whilst watching his crew pull off this surprise.

After the formality of the marriage ceremony everyone expressed their surprise and delight with the guard of honour and took the opportunity to follow the happy couple through the archway of wellies to the wedding reception.

Amber and Alex are keen sailors with Looe Sailing Club, and both volunteered with Looe RNLI as boat crew around the same time.

Ian Foster, Looe RNLI’s Lifeboat Press Officer, says “our crew were delighted to be a small part of Amber and Alex’s wedding celebrations and everyone associated with RNLI Looe Lifeboat Station send their congratulations to the happy couple”

ENDS

Notes to editors

Photos:

· Amber and Alex Richardson walking through Looe RNLI’s yellow welly guard of honour after their marriage

Photo credit Looe RNLI / Ian Foster

· Mr and Mrs Richardson

Photo credit Looe RNLI / Ian Foster

· Amber and Alex at Looe Lifeboat Station

Photo credit Looe RNLI / Ian Foster

Information:

· Re-established as an inshore lifeboat station in 1992, Looe RNLI operate two inshore lifeboats
An Atlantic 85 Sheila and Dennis Tongue II and a D Class Ollie Naismith II

· For further information on Looe RNLI Lifeboats please visit our website https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/looe-lifeboat-station

· Looe RNLI Facebook page www.facebook.com/LooeRNLI

RNLI Media Contacts

For more information please telephone

Ian Foster, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Looe Lifeboat Station, on 07902 753228 or [email protected] or [email protected]

or Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Communications Manager, on 07866 668847 or [email protected]

or Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Communications Lead, on 07920 818807 or [email protected]

Alternatively you can contact the RNLI Duty Press Officer on 01202 336789

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.