Zoe Chapman will tie the knot with her partner Kirby in Oakley, near Salisbury, on May 4 – widely celebrated as Star Wars Day – and she’s marking the occasion with a sci-fi and fantasy-themed wedding, complete with custom-made costumes and models from a galaxy far, far away.
Her father, John Chapman, has spent the last two years building full-scale Star Wars models and costumes to help turn his daughter’s dream into reality.
John said: “I have put many, many hours into making sure Zoe and Kirby have their wish for a big intergalactic wedding.
“Everyone will come dressed in sci-fi outfits and even the best man will wear a Halo Spartan costume from the game Halo.
“It will be a very special occasion and completely different to most wedding celebrations.
“No wedding dresses and zombies will be allowed at the service.”
Among the creations are a full-size Battle Droid, K2SO, Commando Droid, Darth Vader, Boba Fett, and an array of Mandalorian and Jedi characters.
He has also built a full size Dadric Armour Suit from the Skyrim game and several dragon costumes.
As a baby, Zoey captured the nation’s attention during the BBC Children in Need Appeal in November 1996 while being held by Doctor Who star Tom Baker during a live TV broadcast.
Zoe as a baby with the fourth Doctor Who Tom Baker on BBC television Children in Need during the national appeal in November 1996. (Image: Chapman family)
An intergalactic fundraiser had been organised at North Star House in Swindon that year called Space Station Pudsey and many celebrity guests called in to lend their support to the popular event.
BBC Points West reported ‘live’ into the regional appeal broadcasts and later produced a short highlights piece for national television.
Zoe, who has dreamed of a sci-fi wedding since childhood, said: “I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve watched this clip… And it’s still my favourite thing about me!
“I have been a Doctor Who fan all my life and my favourite Doctor is the wonderful Tom Baker.
“To be held by him on TV and to have the footage and pictures to prove it after all these years is an amazing feeling.
“I met Tom again many years later and he still remembered the occasion. So thrilled about that!”
Her family hopes to see another Space Station Pudsey event organised in the Swindon area, may be to mark the 30 years since the original fundraising event.