SILLY PET SELFIE

“This is a friend of mine, Phyl O’reardon, with her rehomed greyhound Jed in front of Sewerby Hall while out on a walk. He’s such a lovely handsome boy who’s got a nose for a good story – and what a nose, into everything!” says David Marsden of Bridlington, East Yorks.

Dear Coleen

My fiance and I had to cancel our wedding due to Covid. We’d planned to have a big celebration with all the bells and whistles, so it just wasn’t possible. My beautiful dress is hanging in my wardrobe and I’m starting to wonder if I’ll ever wear it.

My fiance has suggested we get married in a register office with just the two of us and have a celebration party at a later date, but I’ve got my heart set on a dream wedding. It’s causing a bit of tension between us – he says it’s not about having a lavish affair, it’s about the two of us, which I do agree with but also can’t help thinking he sees a chance to save some money!

Coleen says

It is lovely having your friends and family celebrate with you, but you can still do that if you have a party.

I guess the truth is, we don’t know when we’ll be able to have big social gatherings again, so maybe your fiance is just thinking that, this way, you’ll be able to get married and enjoy a wonderful day together and celebrate in a bigger way at a later date.

I understand it’s disappointing

– I imagine there are many disappointed brides-to-be across the country. However, don’t let it drive a wedge between you and your fiance.

Remember why you want to get married – to show each other commitment and celebrate your love for one another.

I know people who ran off to get married, just the two of them, and then celebrated with family and friends later, and I don’t know any who regretted the decision.

In some ways it takes a lot of pressure off because there are none of the usual formalities.