Couple swap a French chateau for Newark Castle as the setting for their wedding under coronavirus rules

A couple who had planned to be celebrating their marriage at a chateau in the south of France have instead tied the knot in the shadow of Newark Castle.

Adam and Lizzy Hillary, of Collingham, were married just a day after learning the ceremony could go ahead under lockdown rules.

Thy couple had originally planned to legally marry in secret in the UK before heading to France for a ceremony and reception with family and friends at a chateau.

But when travel restrictions came into force, they had to think again.

“Although it may not be the day we dreamt of, and we’ve postponed our reception in France to next year, we had an amazing day catching up with family and friends,” Lizzy said.

“Going through a pandemic you realise the importance of family. We realised that we were so lucky to have our family and decided that was the most important part of a marriage and wedding.

“We followed all the regulations and had an awesome day.

“I can’t imagine the work the registry office have had to put in. It was all very kind and sweet and the staff were very supportive and we had a lot of laughs with them.”

Seven guests were at the ceremony, and photographer James Morris, of Balderton, had to stand on a sticker to take the photographs.

“He was so accommodating and worked with us to have a great day,” Lizzy said.

After the ceremony, 20 of the couple’s closest friends and family waited outside to throw confetti, and they toasted to health and happiness with a cooler of champagne and prosecco they had taken with them.

“It was a whirlwind of unknowns as we weren’t sure how it was going to work out, but seeing our nearest and dearest after so long was so incredible,” Lizzy said.

“I have been to so many weddings where the schedule is tight and the bride and groom don’t get a chance to enjoy being together.

“As we were in a public gardens in the castle, and we had dinner prepared at home, the entire day just flowed naturally and we got to catch up with friends we hadn’t seen for months.”

Lizzy said local suppliers had pulled out all the stops to make the day a success, despite the uncertainty.

“It was extremely scary as we were one of the first weddings to go ahead following the relaxing of restrictions.

“We didn’t get our method statement or instructions until the day before, so that was extremely worrying.

“We had all of our suppliers and family on the edges of their seat as we had 24 hours to find out exactly how it was going to work.

“We also had the wrong date in our wedding rings, which I said I’d like to keep as a memory of the craziness.”