Rutland couple celebrate their wedding a month early to beat the coronavirus lockdown

A couple tied the knot with just one day to prepare after rescheduling their wedding to beat the coronavirus lockdown.

Maggie Hill and John Kidston were due to be married on April 18 with family flying in from across the world to join them.

But with the threat of a national lockdown looming, the couple hastily changed their plans.

They contacted Oakham Registry Office and married on March 19 with just one day to prepare.

Maggie, 76, said: “It was a lovely service.

“It was disappointing that we couldn’t have everyone there, but we could see a lockdown was looming.

“We didn’t know how long this will go on for or when we might be able to get everyone together again, so we just decided to go for it.”

Luckily Maggie had been shopping for her wedding outfit the week before, so she only had the flowers to arrange at short notice.

Her son Steve was able to travel from his home in Bath to attend and John was joined by his brother William and his wife Liz.

The couple’s friend Rona Towell was also able to join the celebrations and cooked everyone a meal for the reception.

Maggie said: “There was lots of champagne and good wines for all of us.

“When this virus is all over we would like to have a lovely family celebration.”

Maggie and John, 84, have known each other for more than 40 years.

Their families both lived in Morcott and their children attended school together.

Maggie and John were both widowed in recent years before they came together as a couple.

John has four children and nine grandchildren while Maggie has two sons and four granddaughters.

The couple had booked a honeymoon at Lake Windermere but instead will be self-isolating for 12
weeks.

They will split their time between their homes in Morcott and Harringworth.

Has coronavirus forced you to change your plans for a special occasion? Share your story at smeditor@stamfordmercury.co.uk