Delight as vicar's daughter becomes first bride to wed in Doncaster since lockdown

Hannah Redeyoff tied the knot with husband Stephen Robinson on the same day that the lockdown ban on weddings was eased, just 10 days after the easing was announced by the Prime Minster.

She walked down the aisle to be met by her dad Neil – the vicar of Holy Trinity and St Oswald's in Finningley – who was conducting the service.

The family only had 10 days to organise the wedding, but pulled out all the stops to make sure it could go ahead, after the originally planned date, of June 27, was ruled out.

Hannah said: "It kind of doesn't feel real.

"We have only had 10 days since we heard it could go ahead, it's been a bit chaotic organising it again."

She said she had not had time to get nervous.

The couple had originally planned to have about 90 guests at the service, with more invited to the reception. But under the new rules only 30 people were allowed inside the church.

Stephen, a nurse, said it had been difficult reducing the numbers, but people had been very understanding.

Those who were unable to attend inside the church gathered outside, socially distanced on the street and in the church yard, where loudspeakers had been set up to relay the service to those ouside. The service was also streamed on social media.

Dad Neil was delighted that his daughter’s wedding could go ahead.

He said: “It’s the first wedding I’ve done this year. although we’ve had enquiries about next year.

"We knew all the legal aspects we had to sort, which was helpful.

"Hannah jumped up and cheered, and then burst into tears of joy when she heard weddings could start again.”

Stephen has lived in Finningley all his life, while Hannah moved to the parish with her family in November 2008.

They got engaged in April 2019.

They will have a wedding blessing and the planned reception next year.

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