MERNIE GILMORE
Planning a wedding is notoriously stressful – but for couples due to tie the knot during the coronavirus pandemic, 2020 has been a tale of cancellations, uncertainty and changed plans on an epic scale.
As lockdown began, marriage ceremonies were suspended.
Now you can buy wedding postponement cards, original date commemorative wine glasses and even wooden ‘hug tokens’ for the almost-bride and not-quite groom.
But some couples decided to say “I do” this summer even if it meant making drastic changes to their dream weddings.
When PM Boris Johnson said sitdown receptions for up to 30 people would be allowed from August 15, couples launched into a frenzy of planning, navigating the new rules.
They also needed to consider questions such as whether they should pay £60 for a fancy hand sanitiser bottle to match their wedding theme, or if the church had wi-fi to live-stream the service.
Cat Grogan and Tom Ferguson had been planning a church wedding and country house reception for 120, but realised that if they kept to immediate family, the wedding party, partners and a photographer, they could go ahead.
“It was like fate,” says Cat, 33. “It meant we didn’t have to have any awkward conversations – if you’re a bridesmaid or groomsman, you’re in!”
So since most of us won’t go to one, what does a Covid-19 wedding look like?
Simon Daukes, owner of the Ash Barton wedding venue in North Devon, says micro weddings, where couples officially marry ahead of celebrations that will be held later, are in demand.
“At Ash Barton, guests usually take over the house for several days which can’t happen just yet,” he says. “However, we have arranged several micro weddings – intimate, registrar-led ceremonies in the grounds. It means couples can still marry on the date they’d planned and have the big party next year.”
Current guidelines stipulate no singing, raised voices or wind instruments, and social distancing of two metres between households or one metre with masks.
While wedding face masks and commemorative hand gel favours are available, Cat and Tom decided it wasn’t for them.
They say: “We looked into hand gel stations but decided to provide individual bottles and masks, but not the wedding-themed stuff.
“We want people to feel safe, but we didn’t want a Covid-themed wedding.”
“Without the set-piece backdrops and the guidelines around Covid19, photographers are getting more creative with locations and shots,” says photographer Mark Chivers.
“It may not be a traditional group portrait on the steps of a hotel, but a good photographer will capture the joy and excitement of any type of wedding.”
Parties in parents’ gardens becoming a clear theme.
Tom and Cat will celebrate with a small garden party for their nearest and dearest. Social distancing measures include a one-way system and guests bringing their own plates and cutlery.
“When you realise the wedding you’ve put so much effort into and imagined isn’t happening, it is really heartbreaking,” says Cat. “It was hard to let go of, but I know we’ll really enjoy a small wedding too.” are
Pictures LAURA FARMER
GROOM Ben and Emily on their big day
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We want people to feel safe but we didn’t want a Covid-themed wedding