Couple among first to have post-lockdown wedding ‘loved every second’

A couple who were among the first to get married in England since lockdown began have revealed they ‘loved every second’ of their celebration.  

Sarah Williams and Richard Cunningham, both 39, from Staffordshire, tied the knot on Saturday after years of planning the day, in a celebration with no bells, no singing and just 25 guests.  

Guests at post-lockdown weddings must avoid singing unless behind a screen, not consume any food or drink, and a maximum of 30 people are allowed, who must maintain social distancing measures. 

Appearing on Good Morning Britain the newlyweds revealed they had to use hand sanitiser before exchanging rings, and had their first dance in a local pub garden  – but Sarah was still able to be walked down the isle by her father. 

Sarah Williams and Richard Cunningham (pictured), both 39, from Staffordshire, tied the knot on Saturday

Appearing on Good Morning Britain the newlyweds revealed they had to use hand sanitiser before exchanging rings during their post lockdown wedding

Appearing on Good Morning Britain the newlyweds revealed they had to use hand sanitiser before exchanging rings during their post lockdown wedding 

Sarah said: ‘It was fantastic, it was really good we loved every second. We had, music but no singing. 

‘It was really good fun. We had all our flowers, we had less guests, but all our close friends and family.’ 

She went on to explain that the wedding actually felt less stressful because there were so few people  

‘It was so relaxed becaue there were so few people,’ said Sarah. ‘Everyone was so supportive. We’ve been going to the church for the last two years. 

The couple had their first dance in a local pub garden - but Sarah was still able to be walked down the isle from her father

The couple had their first dance in a local pub garden – but Sarah was still able to be walked down the isle from her father 

The couple had originally planned to have 150 guests in total, but had to slim down their list to just 25

The couple had originally planned to have 150 guests in total, but had to slim down their list to just 25 

‘And it was all really good, the flowers were fabulous, the cake was great. We had the music, we didn’t have the bells, but we had a fantastic time. ‘ 

The couple had originally planned to have 150 guests in total, but had to slim down their list to just 25 – not including their photographer, videographer and vicar. 

However, Sarah was able to be walked down the isle by her dad who is in her social bubble. 

Sarah told: ‘You’re allowed 30 altogether in the church, but we had the photographer and videographer, the vicar. Mainly it was the wedding party and a couple of close friends.’ 

She went on: ‘My dad could walk me down the isle because he was in my bubble, the size of my dress meant we were automatically social distancing.’ 

Sarah and Richard were among the first to get married in England since lockdown began, said they 'didn't want to delay it any longer'

Sarah and Richard were among the first to get married in England since lockdown began, said they ‘didn’t want to delay it any longer’

The couple had planned to travel to San Francisco before going on a cruise around Hawaii and Polynesia and then spend a few days in Bora Bora but had their trip cancelled

 The couple had planned to travel to San Francisco before going on a cruise around Hawaii and Polynesia and then spend a few days in Bora Bora but had their trip cancelled 

When quizzed on whether they had to wash their hands before exchanging their rings, Richard explained: ‘We used hand sanitiser, we had a pump bottle next to us and we used that before we exchanged rings.’

Sarah added: ‘We couldn’t actually get the ring on, so we used it to get the ring on. It was actually very useful.’  

The couple had planned to travel to San Francisco before going on a cruise around Hawaii and Polynesia and then spend a few days in Bora Bora – but had their once in a lifetime trip cancelled due to travel restrictions.  

Richard said of the wedding reception: ‘We went down to our local pub and had our first dance in the beer garden.’ 

The wedding of Tom Hall and Heather McLaren at St George's Church in Leeds. The easing of lockdown restrictions last weekend allows businesses to reopen with measures in place

The wedding of Tom Hall and Heather McLaren at St George’s Church in Leeds. The easing of lockdown restrictions last weekend allows businesses to reopen with measures in place

The wedding of Tom Hall and Heather McLaren, at St George's Church in Leeds, as weddings are once against permitted to take place in England with ceremonies capped at 30 guests

The wedding of Tom Hall and Heather McLaren, at St George’s Church in Leeds, as weddings are once against permitted to take place in England with ceremonies capped at 30 guests

Heather and Tom pictured socially distancing from other guests during their wedding in Leeds

Heather and Tom pictured socially distancing from other guests during their wedding in Leeds

Later on the show, Tom and Heather Hall, who also tied the knot on Saturday at St George’s Church in Leeds, appeared to speak about their big day. 

The couple explained that the restrictions were a ‘blessing’ after they were able to live-stream their wedding to family members across the world, who wouldn’t have been able to make the original day. 

‘It was magical, said Heather. ‘It was really special and we could really focus on what was important. It’s not the way we would have planned it, but it was so special.’ 

Later on the show, Tom and Heather told host Lorraine Kelly the new wedding restrictions were a 'blessing'

Later on the show, Tom and Heather told host Lorraine Kelly the new wedding restrictions were a ‘blessing’ 

Tom told how they were able to live-stream their wedding to family members across the world, who wouldn't have been able to make the original day

Tom told how they were able to live-stream their wedding to family members across the world, who wouldn’t have been able to make the original day

Tom went on: ‘It was entirely different, but memorable and it was an absolute blessing. 

‘We were able to do a live-stream and family members from around the world were able to watch.’ 

Heather’s father was able to walk her down the isle on her big day, after the family feared Scotland’s travel restrictions would not life in time for the wedding.  

‘It’s one of those things you take for granted’, said Heather. ‘But when there’s the option, its not going to happen, it suddenly becomes very important to you.’