HOLLYWOOD MATRIMONY
A FATHER-of-the-bride stunned his daughter with a speech that turned into a Hollywood blockbuster to show the mission he went on to bring her beloved childhood toy to the wedding.
Steven Stipetic, 53, thrilled wedding guests at Newton Hall in Alnwick, Northumberland with an action-packed video of his escapades including being chased by police, fighting off villains and sky-diving in order to deliver Looby Lou to the big day.
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Laura Finnie, 25, had just said 'I do' to Lewis Finnie, also 25 and had no idea what was about to unfold when her father stood up and started his speech.
Steven began his speech before leaving the room in order to fetch Looby Lou at which point the television screens showed the dramatic adventure that played out in order to get the doll to the venue.
Meanwhile, having filmed the video ahead of the wedding, the father-of-the-bride was in fact standing outside the room listening to their reaction.
Steven, who owns Cladding Direct, said: "When I was standing around the corner after the video had started I was thinking: ‘Steven, what have you done?’
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“Then I heard everyone laughing and I thought: ‘Thank God!’
“It was a fantastic time. Laura absolutely loved it and that's what it is all about. It was so special."
The father-of-three, from Gateshead, explained how the video was created: "About a year ago my son-in-law asked permission to marry my daughter and I thought ‘Oh my God, I'll have to do a father-of-the-bride speech.’
"I didn't want to stand there and do the ceremonial, traditional thing. I wanted to do something really memorable.
"Making memories it what it's all about isn't it?
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"I had a light bulb moment and rang my friend, Adam Bouabda, at Couch Potato Films and told him my ideas. He said I was nuts but he would see what he could do.
"We had a meeting and it went from there.
"We kept it all top secret, not even my wife knew about it. No one at the wedding could know until it happened otherwise it would spoil the surprise."
The amazing video was created with the help of Couch Potato Films, the Skydive Academy in Peterlee as well as a pub and a police car.
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It took three days to film all the scenes and Steven managed to keep the project top secret until the big day on July 27, he did not even tell his wife, Karen, 48.
Steven said: "Everyone was brilliant, they were all so helpful. I really appreciated everyone's involvement in it."
Laura, a nurse said: "It was amazing. It was totally unexpected. I was taken by surprise but I loved it.
"I knew nothing about it. I thought my mam must have known something so seeing her shocked made me realise he must have kept it so quiet."
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Laura said she and her husband, an engineer, had a wonderful day. The newlywed said: "The day went too quickly but it was so amazing.
"The speech is so memorable, it's nice to be able to watch it back. Everyone loved it.
"I'm so grateful to my dad for the speech and for everything.
"I was amazed he had gone to such lengths to do something so special for me. It means a lot."
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The action of the video centres on Steven making sure Laura's childhood toy -Looby Lou - gets to the wedding.
Steven explained: "Laura's had Looby Lou since she was born. We have lost her a few times over the years and there were screaming tears when that happened.
"The doll is part of her childhood and she's kept her all these years, it's the most famous doll in the family.
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"The speech was about getting Looby Lou to the wedding and she was going to have an adventure to make it there."
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