Wolverley couple may have to postpone wedding a second time

Louise Massey and fiancé Daniel Smith were all set to tie the knot at St John's Church in Wolverley on May 23, but pushed their big day back to September before the country went into lockdown.

The happy couple Daniel Smith and Louise Massey had a photoshoot on their would-be wedding day. Photo by Amanda Jayne Photography

Louise, 29, told The Shuttle: "We should have got married at the end of May, but my other half is a nurse in A&E and I worked in a health environment as well at the time. We both thought things don’t look good so decided to postpone the wedding a week before lockdown.

"At the time, the government advice was that within 12 weeks things should be getting back to normality. We had no idea what this would turn into."

Daniel Smith and Louise Massey on their would-be wedding day. Photo by Amanda Jayne Photography

On the day they were due to get married, Louise and Daniel got dressed up for a photoshoot outside their church, and their local pub, the Eagle and Spur, donated a romantic meal for two and a bottle of Prosecco to mark the occasion.

Now, despite Boris Johnson's recent announcement that ceremonies for up to 30 people will be allowed to go ahead, the couple say they may be forced to postpone yet again as the rules are "not black and white".

The couple's would-be wedding day meal, donated by their local pub the Eagle and Spur in Cookley

Louise said: "Boris' announcement means churches will be allowed to host ceremonies for up to 30 people, but not all churches will be able to - it depends on whether they will be able to manage the buildings and keep up the hygiene and social distancing. We still don't know if our church will open.

"Everything is still very unclear. Does 30 people include the vicar? Will we be able to have a photographer? Will I still be able to have a make-up artist? I'm classed as high risk so does that mean I won't be able to get married?

St John's Church in Wolverley, where Louise and Daniel are due to get married

"We need to know these things so we can make an informed decision on whether to reschedule a second time.

"We accepted when all this started and still accept that our wedding isn't a priority, but over the weeks our frustration has grown. Until this week there were no announcements or guidance whatsoever about weddings.

Daniel Smith and Louise Massey had a photoshoot on their would-be wedding day. Photo by Amanda Jayne Photography

"And it's not just about the couples. I've got friends in the wedding industry who have lost thousands - they need clarity as well.

"It all comes down to keeping everyone safe. Shops and pubs are being given guidance on how to safely reopen, but weddings are still in the dark."

Louise has launched a petition calling for further clarity from the government about wedding guidelines, which has been signed by more than 500 people. To view the petition, click here.