“You don’t need the big £30k wedding to enjoy it, “ says newly-wed Hannah Wynn whose wedding plans were “snatched away” by the coronavirus restrictions.

Hannah literally spent years planning her dream wedding to finace Charlie Wynn, which began with a romantic proposal in Rome and ended with a joyous celebration on Wick Ferry.

Bournemouth Echo: Waiting for Wick Ferry

Hannah, who lives in Southbourne, told the Echo: “After six years together, Charlie proposed to me on a trip to Rome on 3 August 2017. It was Charlie’s birthday, and after dinner we went for a walk through the Villa Borghese to take in the breathtaking views of Rome. It was there he got down on one knee, and it took me a few minutes to catch my breath and dry my tears to say yes!”

Covid-19 had a big impact on their wedding plans and cost them thousands of pounds.

“We were due to get married on 19 June 2020 after years of saving for both a mortgage deposit and wedding. Unfortunately the wedding was cancelled due to the pandemic, and we lost around £3,000 in suppliers and venue non-refundable deposits due to our wedding insurance not offering the cover. We had to let over 80 guests know the wedding was unable to go ahead, and battle with a lot of wedding suppliers and the venue itself for any reimbursement which obviously caused a lot of upset and stress.”

Bournemouth Echo: The 15 Guests

The wedding was able to go ahead  on September 26 at The Guildhall registry office in Poole, with a reception at The Captains Club in Christchurch.

But restrictions meant they could only have 15 wedding guests. Asked what was the  most stressful part of organising the wedding Hannah says: “Having to narrow it down 15 guests to attend the wedding from the original 80.”

Bournemouth Echo: Wick Ferry

As for the best memories of the day she says: "Our photographer took us over on the river ferry to Wick, where we had lots of beautiful photographs taken. The best part was being on the ferry itself, and the driver taking us up Tuckton river where people were cheering and waving on the river bank shouting “look there’s a bride”. Others told us how wonderful it was to see a wedding going ahead regardless of the circumstances, and putting a smile on everyone’s face. “

Was there a ‘first dance’?

“Yes - even though there was no dance floor, we played Whitney Houston and made the most of the space we had in front of our guests. Everyone joined in with laughter and tears.

“The reality of it is, you make the most of the situation presented to you. Yes our original day was sadly snatched beyond our control, but looking back we wouldn’t have it any other way. If anything, the intimacy of the day made it even more special and gave people the opportunity to look forward to something in such a difficult climate.

"It not only put smiles on our faces, but also on those of strangers to prove that there is light at the end of this madness, life can go on, and love always wins. I think being put in the situation we did, just proved to us you don’t need the big £30k wedding to enjoy it. Having your loved ones close by and marrying your soul mate is all you need and more.

"We also decided to not let the pandemic get in the way of other personal plans, and are expecting our first baby this month. I was lucky enough that my original wedding dress still fit, and managed to cover my 6 month bump!"