Love in the time of Corona

Tuesday 31 March 2020

A local couple whose wedding plans were scuppered by the virus outbreak have got married “against all odds” after being granted a special licence to marry with less than 24 hours’ notice.

Hannah Paton (22) married Aaron Penberthy (27) last Thursday outside her family home, with family members and neighbours observing social distancing guidelines by following the ceremony from windows above.

Hannah, who works in the finance industry, and Aaron, a professional rugby player who was due to retire at the end of the season with the Jersey Reds to join the police, have been together for over six years.

Pictured: The new Mr and Mrs Penberthy.

They got engaged in July last year.

Aaron popped the question whilst they were on holiday in Mallorca and the pair were planning to get married on 4 April at Chateau La Chaire - but coronavirus decided otherwise. 

With Hannah’s family being in Scotland and Aaron’s in Cornwall, and with guests from as far as Australia and New Zealand, the couple had been monitoring the travel situation “quite closely", Hannah told Express. 

Pictured: Hannah and Aaron were planning to get married on 4 April at Chateau La Chaire.

“We were worried that any kind of 'lockdown' would result in flight cancellations and more than 75% of our guests being unable to come over,” she explained. 

“We tried to hold off as long as we could on making any big decisions in hope of a miracle that the situation would improve but we decided that, with the new social distancing rules and for the safety of our guests including our elderly grandparents, we couldn't go ahead with our original plans but would instead have a smaller ceremony with my immediate family on the same date and still at Chateau La Chaire, who had kindly agreed to open up for us despite being forced to close the hotel as a result of the virus.”

Pictured: Hannah and Aaron were granted a special license allowing them to marry outside of her family home with less than 24 hours' notice. 

Unfortunately, when the government introduced stricter social distancing guidelines, it soon became clear that even a smaller ceremony couldn’t go ahead.

The couple contacted the Superintendent Registrar early last week and came to the conclusion that their wedding wasn't going to happen if they were to wait until 4 April – “which was quite right,” Hannah said, “as all weddings in Jersey between 30 March and 30 June have now been cancelled."

They were told to get in touch with Reverend Jonny Scott of St. Martin and the Dean of Jersey, who were able to assist in granting the couple a special licence allowing them to marry outside Hannah’s family home with less than 24 hours' notice. 

Pictured: Family and neighbours watched the ceremony from their windows.

With the help of Hannah’s family, they set up a “lovely backdrop” for the ceremony and Hannah walked down an aisle lined with lanterns with her Dad, holding a makeshift bouquet whilst their family and neighbours overlooked and threw confetti from their windows. 

“The ceremony itself was beautiful and certainly something that we will always remember with Reverend Jonny Scott calling upon our neighbours and family to get involved,” Hannah said. 

“We were also able to FaceTime Aaron's family back in Cornwall who watched the ceremony and celebrated themselves in their garden with some bubbly, which was really special.”

 The big day was captured by Britta Marie Photography, who agreed to come take some photos while maintaining a safe social distance. 

“She has given us some beautiful memories that we will cherish forever!” Hannah said. 

As per the tradition, the newlywed couple munched on cake - a smaller version than the one they'd originally planned, which Kico Cakes made at short notice. “It was absolutely delicious and brought a bit of normality to an unusual, but equally lovely, day,” Hannah said.

Pictured: The newlywed couple munched on a smaller version of their original wedding cake.

The couple then celebrated with a takeaway, some party games, plenty of champagne and dancing to their wedding playlist. 

“We are still intending to go ahead with our original plans at Chateau La Chaire next year to celebrate what will be our first wedding anniversary meaning that we can finally celebrate with the guests that sadly couldn't make it last week," Hannah said.

"We cannot wait!”

Pictured: Hannah and Aaron are planning a big celebration at Chateau La Chaire for their one year anniversary.

While this impromptu wedding was not the big day Hannah and Aaron planned, the new bride said it was “extremely special nonetheless”.

“It's a day that we will never forget and we now have a story to tell... not many people can say that they had to get married under such circumstances!” she added.

“It also made us take a step back and really appreciate what matters - it wasn't about the big white wedding dress or huge party. It was about having our loved ones close and enjoying our health and happiness. We will definitely be making up for any missed celebrations as soon as we can, though!”

Photos by Britta Marie photography.