Coronavirus has wreaked havoc on thousands of weddings across the country, but one couple has come up with a genius solution - by throwing a 'drive-through' ceremony.
Nicky Wynne-Williams and Shaz Russell, from Durham, managed to tie the knot in line with social distancing guidelines while still having all their loved ones present, and did it in style.
The couple were due to get married in front of 180 guests in Newcastle on 13th June but the pandemic threw their plans into chaos as guest numbers were slashed to 30 by the government.
Instead, they invited all of their loved ones to drive up to their ceremony while staying in their vehicles; the couples themselves also stayed in their vintage car right up until the last moment so as not to mingle with guests.
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Nicky and Shaz met online four years ago, and married at the Rockliffe Hall in County Durham on Friday 31st July.
The couple said their vows in the grounds before moving indoors for a picnic style reception where two tables were limited to single households.
Nicky said the pair, who are both social workers, were determined to get hitched even if it meant only having the closest family members there. They considered postponing until 2021 but were desperate to be married.
In a convertible Aston Martin, the couple drove up to the registrar while Nicky's mum, Mary, and Shaz's daughter Jasmine, who were witnesses, drove behind in another Aston Martin.
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After they said 'I do', Shaz, Nicky and their family made their way to the Old Hall terrace to enjoy a glass of champagne and afternoon tea - but were only allowed near those they had had recent contact with.
Nicky said: "We originally had 180 guests coming but that couldn't go ahead and we had to also cancel our hen party in Leeds.
"There are lots of other people in this same situation but when this opportunity came along we just thought it was amazing. We had a few conversations about it and we decided to go ahead with it."
The postponement of the wedding also meant Nicky's mum, who has lung cancer, would be able to attend.
Nicky said: "It would have been very difficult for my mum to have come [to the wedding] in June as she was receiving treatment and you have to have your mam at your wedding.
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"If everything hadn't been put on hold she was not going to be able to go which was just heartbreaking."
Shaz admitted it had been a "mad rush" to organise everything in just three weeks, adding: "The cars were a great idea as it kept everyone apart. We would have hated our wedding day to be remembered because everyone got ill."
Shaz added: "We'll actually be stopping overnight in the hotel and the spa is open again. So instead of having our wedding and celebrating with 180 guests, we'll be celebrating together in a sauna.
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"We'll have the main reception and our hen party next year so we're really dragging the celebrations out. This is definitely something we'll look back on with happiness and smiles for many years to come - who else can say they've had a drive-thru wedding, let alone at such a stunning venue?"
Featured Image Credit: Triangle NewsTopics: Weddings, Life News, lockdown, You, Life, Coronavirus, Real Life