Two diehard Star Wars superfans got married in Hollywood while waiting for the first public screening of The Force Awakens. Australian pair Caroline Ritter, 34, and Andrew Porters, 29, held their Star Wars themed wedding outside the Chinese Theatre on 17 December.

Ritter was walked down the aisle by Darth Vader, and the ceremony was conducted by Obi-Shawn Crosby. She said, We became friends and then we started dating and he didnt freak out at the action figures that I had on my wall. So he sort of knew from the get-go that he was going to have to accept it that I love Star Wars and he became a fan.

The wedding also included R2-D2, Chewbacca and dozens of well-wishers who were camped outside of the cinema. A violinist played music from the films, including the Imperial March when Vader and Ritter walked down the aisle.

About 100 fans had been camped outside the theatre awaiting the films public release, with some having been there since 5 December. One wedding party member dressed as Chewbacca said: You cant top that experience, its incredible, its the most, I mean its what everyone dreams of when theyre a kid, when theyre a Star Wars fan. Cant beat it.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is expected to take in around $200 million on its opening weekend, which would make it the biggest release of all time.