A KIDDERMINSTER couple were finally able to tie the knot on 'Freedom Day' after a year of waiting.

Victoria and Alan became Mr and Mrs Whitehouse on Monday (July 19) as wedding restrictions were lifted for the first time since the start of the pandemic.

They were married at Pendrell Hall, in Codsall in front of more than 100 guests and their dog Smithy.

The day included an elegant outdoor ceremony, dining, string quartet, ice cream cart, mini golf, singing waiters, photo booth and dancing on the evening.

They started planning their big day in April 2018 and set the date for 11th August 2020. When the pandemic caused the country to go into lockdown in March 2020, they were optimistic that things would still go ahead in August.

However, with only two-weeks notice, the date for their big day was cancelled, leaving the couple "devastated."

Mrs Whitehouse's mum Sharon Weston said: "I recall the day when Boris Johnson announced the postponement of Freedom day, from 21st June till 19th July, Tori, who works in Healthcare & Palliative care in the community, called by in between calls in floods of tears as she misunderstood the message and thought her new wedding date would have to be cancelled again. She thought the restrictions were up to and including the 19th July."

The uncertainty has been so stressful and right up until the final confirmation by Boris Johnson on July 12, the couple hadn’t dared to dream they’d get the big wedding day they’d planned.

The couple now feel privileged to have had their big day on historic Freedom Day. Victoria and Alan, aged 29 and 38 respectively, have been together for nearly seven years and have now gone on their mini moon in Devon.

They will decide on a honeymoon to somewhere more exotic when travelling restrictions are lifted.