Three weddings and a tractor!

Muddy-matched couple finally tie the knot after having their big day cancelled twice due to lockdown

If at first you don’t succeed…

Having had their rural wedding plans thrown into disarray by COVID-19, engaged Muddy Matched pair Kerry and arable farmer Richard have tied the knot in a church ceremony, at the third time of asking – and even managed to turn up to church in something borrowed… a John Deere 8400R tractor.

The now muddy Mr & Mrs, who met on Muddy Matches back in July 2018, were gutted when their proposed big day on 19 June was postponed due to lockdown restrictions on church gatherings.

They then endured double disappointment when their rescheduled date of 4th July was then also put on the backburner as the lifting of the restrictions changed again.

Hell bent on a church wedding at the Clarborough Church in Retford, Notts, the pair have waited patiently in the wings for things to change and their faith was repaid on 31st July 2020; two years and three days after their first real life date.

“I managed to get everything organised within 3 weeks” Kerry tells us, as she defied all bridal logic that a wedding takes on average 18 months preparation.

“We were gutted we couldn’t get married in a church on our first chosen date as we had a lot of people from all over the country; but at the end of the day all we needed were us 2, the reverend and 2 witnesses; we would have been happy with just that.”

Thankfully, Kerry and Richard were able to have very close family and friends celebrate with them in a small reception, held in a marquee in their two-acre garden, with a big hog roast and plenty of cake.

It is the Muddy Ever After to a love story that started out live online with Muddy Matches’ help, and turned into romantic dates involving farm machinery.

“Richard was late for our first date, which was a sign of things to come” Kerry tells us. “Our third date was in a combine harvester and he fell into a ditch of nettles. I knew they we would never have a dull moment together. Many evenings are spent together in a tractor, just enjoying each other’s company.”

“I was wanting to meet someone who understood the importance of my horses and how they come first, and I found that person.

“I have married my soulmate, who happened to live 7 miles away from me. If it wasn’t for Muddy Matches I would not be as happy as I am today.”

Wedding Photo credit and copyright to Andrew Youll Photography