THERE was no wedding dress, no hen do or stag do, a tiny guest list and a four-year-old best man, but Chris and Fiona Fisher’s wedding was a truly joyous event.

In what was one of the first weddings in the country after lockdown, the Wotton under Edge couple got married on July 4, with just five days’ notice to prepare.

They had chosen July 4 as their wedding date a long time ago, but after lockdown Fiona, who works as a community nursery nurse, and special needs school chef Chris had been told it would not be possible due to government rules.

But in a surprise phone call, Morag Langley, associate priest in the Tyndale Benefice, confirmed the ceremony could go ahead because lockdown was being eased.

And although the wedding couldn’t take place in St Mary’s in Wotton as planned, Morag said it could be relocated to St Kenelm’s in Alderley instead.

Fiona was concerned that her parents wouldn’t be able to be there, as they are shielding for health reasons, but they gave the wedding their blessing and so it was decided to go ahead.

“We had nothing prepared, I didn’t have a wedding dress and we didn’t have rings,” said Fiona.

“But all our friends chipped in to make it happen.

“Friends were popping round with their own rings for us to try on.

“Luckily my mum managed to get us a pair that fitted.

“I ordered a dress, but it didn’t arrive in time, so I wore an old favourite.

“I had made a bet with Chris that the wedding wouldn’t happen but that if it did, he could wear his jeans - so he wore his jeans.”

The guest list had to be trimmed from 150 to just 30 for social distancing, and local guests were given priority.

With Fiona’s dad unable to escort her down the aisle, Fiona and Chris chose to be escorted by their two children: best man Albie, four, and bridesmaid Mallory, two.

The ceremony was short and sweet, and without any singing, as government guidance stated singing should be avoided as it posed a higher risk of transmitting coronavirus.

Afterwards it was back to a friend’s house for fish and chips from the Wotton British Takeaway, homemade cakes and glasses of fizz.

“We stripped it back to what it should be - promises and love,” said Fiona.