We asked our gorgeous bride Louise if she wouldn’t mind sharing with us what it is like to plan a wedding during a global pandemic. Read her story and see how true love really does conquer all!

In all honesty I never thought that I would be writing about my journey to finally walking down the aisle to marry my soulmate! Sorry that sounds so cheesy but after one failed marriage behind me and a few interesting experiences with online dating, I thought the day would never come. I resounded to becoming a Fleet’s very own Bridget Jones. However just when I thought I would give up on “swiping right”, I took one more chance and it happened to be the best decision I ever made.

I met my husband (still getting used to that!) Ed in 2018 during a very difficult time in my life; shortly after we met my Mum passed away suddenly from a brain tumour but he was my rock throughout it all. I firmly believe he was a gift from my Mum as his surname was my Mum’s name, Francis. I know she would have loved him.

Our relationship went from strength to strength and it is true what they say, you know when you have met “the one”. My husband is a pilot for British Airways and let’s say, it does have its perks! Ed whisked me off to New York just before Christmas in 2019 and popped the question in Central Park, right by the lake, just us two and it was just perfect.

That is when the wedding preparation kicked into action and I knew exactly where I wanted to get my wedding dress from; Boo Bridal in Hartley Wintney! Even though this was a very exciting time in my life, it was also very tough as my Mum wasn’t there to share it with, but Emma made sure it felt very special. The moment I walked through the boutique door with my sister-in-law, I felt relaxed and knew my dress would be there waiting for me. I tried on many beautiful dresses but fell in love with the last one I tried….Flora. Emma knew that I wanted to make it my own, but nothing was too much, she was amazing and the final result was truly my dream dress, if not more! Emma is so patient and kind. I remember trying to decide what sparkle layer would work with my dress, so many to choose from and guess what….we went back to the first swatch!

Before the word Coronavirus was an everyday word in our vocabulary, we had booked The Aviator in Farnborough as our venue, nothing to do with the aviation theme…honest! We wanted something contemporary and more city like and they couldn’t have been more helpful. Sadly this was not meant to be as COVID-19 hit in March 2020 and everything got put on hold! We were due to get married in November and spent many frustrating months second guessing what would happen. However this did not stop Emma getting my dress ready, just in case weddings could proceed. However in August we made the decision to postpone our “big wedding” until 2021 but we still wanted to get married if we could. We contacted the suppliers who were very understanding and all pushed to 2021.

This is when we decided to rearrange our formal ceremony to go ahead at Winchester Registry Office and keep things simple. The important thing was for us to be Mr & Mrs and to have the big party when we could. Due to the restriction on numbers which was 15 people at the time, we rearranged a small ceremony at the registry office and then an intimate reception at the Four Seasons in Dogmersfield. Then the 2nd lockdown hit and we felt devastated all over again as this was our second wedding that got postponed. 

Our wedding day was once again in limbo but we knew love would conquer all! After a begging email to Hampshire Council, we managed to get a slot at 10am on the 5th December 2020 which would have been shortly after we came out of lockdown. This was great but we were once again hit with another obstacle…..Ed’s sister was in Tier 3 at the time so could only come to the wedding and not the reception, those were the rules! Plus Ed’s best man was in Hong Kong and international travel was banned! Although this was once again very frustrating for us, we battled on! The next issue I faced was that my original makeup lady wasn’t available on the new date but Emma from Boo Bridal came to the rescue and recommended Catherine from “A finishing Touch”, thankfully she was available on the day! The ceremony was smaller than originally planned but perfect and the registrar was completely right when she said that weddings during the pandemic are extra special as they are people who want to get married and not just have the party.

We then celebrated at The Four Seasons Hotel, they couldn’t have been more helpful with rearranging the day again. The reception was so intimate and looked amazing with all the flowers and candles which were supplied by Moutan. Even though it was not as we originally planned, it felt so special being there with our closest friends and family.

We were intending to have a wedding “take 2” in November later this year but have decided that having made our official wedding back in December as special as possible even with all the restrictions in place, that this year would just be the celebration party! Of course I will be wearing my dress again, that’s a no brainer!

My advice to all the brides out there is although this is a very frustrating time and believe me I felt so overwhelmed a lot of the time (plus a lot of tears) but I do believe that if it is meant to be then it will be! Sadly I didn’t get to have the big girly wedding morning prep or to have my bridesmaid walk with me down the aisle and Ed didn’t get to have his best man by his side but we got there in the end and nothing will take away the happiest feeling I had walking out the registry office hand in hand with my husband, knowing that the pandemic didn’t stop us!

We wish them both every happiness as they begin their greatest adventure yet! Proof, if ever we needed it, that true love really does conquer all. Louise has also given you the gift of her ‘Little Blue Book’ of suppliers, so use it wisely.

• Dress - Boo Bridal

• Groom’s suit - Moss Bros

• Bridesmaids dresses - David’s Bridal, Westfield

• Flowers - Alison Alison Flanaghan Flowers (Bouquets / Buttonholes), Moutan (Reception)

• Ceremony - Winchester Registry Office

• Reception - Four Seasons Hotel, Dogmersfield

• Hair - Georgette McCarthy Hair (Ta-Da next to Boo)

• Make up - Catherine, A Finishing Touch

• Photographer - Jenny Owens

• Cake - Cake Maid by Catherine