‘Boris came up trumps for our rural, rustic wedding.’

Mud lovers from Hampshire tied the knot in front of 70 guests, just 2 days after COVID-19 restrictions are eased

He may not be flavour of the month with everyone, but muddy matched couple Liz and Mark have acknowledged the Prime Minister after their rural, rustic-themed big day got the go ahead with the full complement of 70 guests, last month (June ’21).

The mud lovers from Hampshire tied the knot at the country-exquisite Anchor Inn, surrounded by rolling field in Lower Froyle, near Farnham, just two days after COVID-19 restrictions were eased, and they admit to ‘a few tense moments’ during lockdowns whilst planning.

“When we initially planned the wedding after the first lockdown, we thought June 2021 would be safe and there was no way we could still be in lockdown,” then bride-to-be Liz says.

“When the roadmap stated an end to lockdown on 21st June, 2 days before our wedding, we celebrated, but then began to wonder when the Delta variant started to take a hold, and ultimately delayed easing of lockdown.

“Thankfully, Boris came up trumps by allowing weddings to go ahead with minimal restrictions. The venue did their risk assessment which allowed us to have 70 guests; the exact number who were able to attend!

Liz and Mark, who had matched online whilst country life dating with us in September 2018, opted for a ‘relaxed and rural affair’ with a rustic theme. “Our wedding cake featured muddy footprints and us in wellie boots” adds Liz, who said the welly boot decoration was a nod to an ‘in joke’ to the groom who she describes as more of ‘a pavement polisher’ when they met.

“We had a truly fantastic day.

It wasn’t without a few tense moments however.

“Communication with the venue to make arrangements was tricky as staff were furloughed and the pub fully closed for some periods.” Liz adds.

“I was mildly concerned as to how smoothly our day would run but I can honestly say the pub was fabulous and the staff did everything perfectly. We had a truly fantastic day.”

Now attention turns to the honeymoon and the pair have eyes firmly on the overseas green lists after switching their honeymoon from Alsace on the banks of the Rhine, to a walking holiday closer to home.

“We hope to manage a trip to Alsace next year, this was our original honeymoon plan. We went to Northumberland instead after our wedding, which was magnificent and certainly not a disappointment.”