Couple “make wedding history’ at Kata viewpoint

KATA: Bride Amanda Gudgin and groom Steve Hancock, from Melbourne, made a small bit of history at 4 pm yesterday, when they were wed at the Kata viewpoint.

Ms Hancock, in a traditional white wedding dress, explained to the Gazette that her family used to live in Hong Kong. “We have been regular visitors to Phuket since 1977,” she said.

Her father, Kim Gudgin, said proudly, “I think this is a romantic place, and I’m very happy today.”

Tawatchai Tongmang, Chief of Karon Municipality, told the Gazette that the modest ceremony, comprising a priest and a dozen or so relatives, was the first Christian wedding to be held at the Kata viewpoint.

“Actually, we couldn’t allow them to hold the wedding party there because it’s a tourist attraction, so they just had the wedding ceremony there,” K. Tawatchai said.

However, he added, “We would be pleased if more lovers were interested in being married there.”