Clitheroe couple host virtual wedding ceremony after coronavirus cancellation

Chris Marshall and Sue Barsby were all set to tie the knot on March 28th, however, they made the difficult decision to call off the wedding due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Instead, they came up with a novel way of marking the special day by gathering their loved ones together on the internet and holding a handfasting ceremony. The couple's celebrant Ellie Brooks is offering the virtual service in return for a donation to the NHS.

Sue, who wore a stunning dress which she ordered a day before from Next, said: "The decision was made by Boris Johnson when he shut pubs and restaurants and banned weddings just over a week before our wedding. I was initially upset, but then relieved as it was becoming a stressful situation not knowing and also we didn’t want to put people's health at risk. I had seen a link to Ellie Brooks, a spiritual celebrant who was offering to do virtual handfasting ceremonies for a donation to the NHS...such a lovely lady. We felt so happy we had done it, it was empty and intimate and felt like we had been through a meaningful experience. I wore a hurriedly purchased wedding dress from Next online, which came the next day and it fit!! Lucky, as they cancelled home deliveries after that."

Mother-of-three, Sue, who has rescheduled the wedding for March next year, went on to say: "I would like to say thank you to everyone, our local suppliers and venue Holmes Mill for being great and managing to postpone until next year. Also, a special mention to Nettletons Jewellers in Clitheroe for knocking a considerable amount off an 'engagement' ring for Chris."