WEDDINGS are meant to be memorable but for a former Port Macquarie couple tying the knot on Saturday in Sydney - that is an understatement.
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Mark Headon and Kathryn Johnston will be married in the centre of the Sydney Cricket Ground at 4pm, before the Round 23 Sydney Swans-Gold Coast Suns match after winning a competition mounted by Swans sponsor QBE.
The Swans fans met at Port Macquarie High School but were "just mates" who had a few classes together.
After graduating in 1997, they went separate ways and didn't see each other for 10 years.
Fate played a hand when they literally bumped into each other at a music festival in Sydney seven years ago.
The 35 year olds have been together every since, spending three years travelling and working in Ireland and Scotland before setting up home in Neutral Bay.
Mark said they had discussed getting married while living overseas but work commitments, trying to buy a house and life in general prevented them from taking the plunge.
But when Kate found the competition they decided to enter to try and win an unforgettable experience valued at more than $46,000.
"You had to write 500 words on why we should win and send in a photograph," Mark said.
"We wrote about ourselves and how we go to all the Swans games."
While he played junior AFL in Port Macquarie, he wrote: "Sadly my sporting skills have not led me to launch a towering torpedo from 65 metres to win a game for the Swans or to stride out to open the batting in a new year's test match".
"So this is it, the opportunity I never knew I was waiting for to marry the girl I love on the ground I love in this amazing city we now call home."
Mark has been an SCG member for the past six years, having put his name on the waiting list at the age of 16.
Their entry was chosen from more than 200 others and they then had six weeks to choose dresses, suits, rings, a guest list, table favours and flowers.
However, a three week trip to Canada and the US was already planned so that left them just three weeks to sort their nuptials out on their return.
Luckily the Swans and QBE have taken care of everything to do with the venue, the celebrant, the musician and the catering for 100 guests, who will enjoy the wedding supper in a corporate box while watching the last home game before the finals season begins.
The wedding party will arrive by vintage Rolls Royces.
Mark's older brother Will is his best man and Kate's bridesmaid is Brooke, both of whom graduated from the couple's alma mater as well.
The couple's nieces, Zoe and Nina are the flower girls.
Mark says it will be a bit of a Port Macquarie High reunion with his mum and dad Joy and Bill Headon heading down from Flynns Beach to Sydney by train today for the big event.
The husband and wife will get to toss the coin before the big match and have gone for a Swans theme for table centre pieces and favours.
"We have gone away from the traditional for the tables with each one having a Swans football in the centre and everyone will have a Swans scarf on their chairs.
The lead up has been a whirlwind with them attending a couple of Swans training sessions and touring the venue.
"We met a few of the players and Lewis Jetta and Adam Goodes came over and wished us all the best.
So, when you sit down to watch the match on Saturday night you will likely see snippets of the ceremony and might recognise a few faces.
Congratulations Kate and Mark from the Port News and our readers.