WEDDINGS START AGAIN, IN A SOCIALLY DISTANCED WAY

THE first weddings have been held in Devon for the first time in months; complete with masks, gloves and PPE, writes Lewis Clarke.

THE very first marriage in the county since lockdown was eased happened on July 4 at North Devon’s Ash Barton Estate.

BUT as summer gets underway and further easing of the ceremony and celebrations are announced, many more are expected to be held across the region.

The first of Devon’s postlockdown ‘happy couples’ were Emily Smith and Ben Watts from Topsham, plus some of their closest friends and family,. They enjoyed a socially distanced wedding in the grounds of Ash Barton, with a romantic wedding ceremony beside the lake, followed by a picnic and drinks in the old chapel.

July 4 was Emily and Ben’s original wedding day, before pushing the date back to June 2021 as the country went into lockdown. But with Devon registrars offering their services again from last Saturday, the couple opted to have their wedding ceremony anyway, with just a handful of people. They plan big party in June next year.

“Having flexibility is what Ash Barton is all about,” said Simon Daukes, owner of the family-run business.

“At the beginning of lockdown, I called all the brides and grooms and said ‘listen, let’s get you booked in for next year wherever possible. But, if things start to open up and you want to have some kind of ceremony or celebration on your original day, you can.

“For me, that’s what a good wedding venue is all about. Giving couples plenty of flexibility and letting them make their own decisions. Whatever they choose to do, we’re here to support them.”

“Emily added: “We originally planned to have a big wedding at The Ash Barton Estate over several days.

“It was meant to be a big weekend celebration with lots of friends and family. Ben has family from Thailand and the USA who were going to travel to attend our wedding. So when we found out about the Government Covid-19 restrictions, we had to rethink our original wedding plans drastically.

“When Simon said we could have an intimate wedding with a few guests, we just felt sheer joy. Knowing that our original date could happen, and we could make that commitment to one another was an amazing feeling.

“We were only allowed 30 guests, so it was our immediate family attending plus one or two guests on either side. As we were confined to our homes for so long, it was extra special to see our closest friends and family again. I think being in lockdown has made us appreciate them.”

The team at Ash Barton worked hard to prepare the venue for Saturday and ensured the converted stable block, with its loos and getting-ready-room, was sanitised and for the sole use of the wedding party.

To date, over 60 events booked between March and October have been successfully rearranged for 2021 or later in the year.