Would You Sell Your £6,000 Star Wars Collection To Fund Your Dream Wedding?

The average cost of a wedding hovers around the £20k mark and clearly that’s not the sort of money that most of us have kicking around in our bank accounts. So how on earth do you bridge the gap and pay for the Big Day? For Adrian Brown the answer is simple: Star Wars. We had a quick chat with the man who is willing to part with his amazing Star Wars collection in order to fund the perfect wedding.

STAGGERED: Hello, good to meet you – can you give us a bit of background about yourself?

Well, my name is Adrian Brown, I’m 39 and after proposing in New York I’m getting married to my fiancee Saffron Powell next September in a Trulli in Puglia, Southern Italy. That’s for immediate family and friends and then we’re having a much bigger reception in a London bar.

So we know how expensive weddings can be – you’re going the extra mile to pay for yours - what are you selling?

I’m selling nearly all of my Star Wars collection which has taken me nearly 10 years to compile. Almost 1500 pieces, including the stickers and cards!

How long have you been collecting Star Wars merchandise?

It started back in 1977 when my parents bought me a couple of basic figures from the film and it spread from there.  But I only really started serious collecting when I bought my first flat when I was about 24 and used the spare bedroom as a display area.

Are there any items you can’t bear to part with?

I’m not selling the toys that were bought for me as a child (Some by my late Nan) my favourite pieces are the rare US imports.

We can't be more emphatic: this is not a trap.

As fellow Star Wars enthusiasts we understand just how much this must hurt – does your wife-to-be know how lucky she is?

She knows that she’s lucky as I’m doing it for her – I’m saving every penny I can spare to make this wedding extra special for her.

Who suggested you selling the collection?!

It was me – it was either sell the collection or put even more on the credit card!

Was it an easy decision to make?

Not at all – especially when I unpacked them all to take photos to sell them on eBay. But I know it will make an excellent instant collection, a fantastic present or even a stock refill for a toy dealer! I’ll be really gutted to see it all go – as it reminds my of my childhood and all the fun that I had building up my collection, including travelling to collectors’ fairs as far as New York.

What are you hoping to get for the collection?

About 10 years ago I had it all valued, for insurance purposes, at over £6,000 but due to eBay saturating the market and making the import toys easily available, I’d be happy with anywhere between £3,000 – £2,000.

Have you thought about suggesting a Star Wars themed wedding to make up for the loss?

I tried and got knocked back! But I still want to have some Star Wars figures as either the name settings or favours, or at least on the cake! A Hoth-themed one maybe? [Now you mention it - Cake Ed]

Do you think your sale shows how involved grooms are with weddings these days?

I think grooms are more involved with wedding planning and ideas, I don’t want to just turn up and write the cheque! I want it to be a day that will be remembered as chilled and relaxed (we’re even thinking of a Wedding BBQ of fresh Italian produce!) and for the reception to be almost a reunion of all the people that have been a part of lives.

Right – well you heard the man, if you’ve got a few grand kicking around and fancy an instant Star Wars collection that will make you the most envied nerd on the street and put Adrian in line for a Groom of the Year award, drop the man an email and get the sale sorted.

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