Amber and Matthew Bailey couldn't have the big white wedding they had originally planned before the pandemic, but were determined not to let Covid stop them including their beloved family member.

The Southampton couple wed at the city's register office in December with just two witnesses before heading to Challoner House Care Home in Chandlers Ford for a reception with a difference.

ALSO READ: Love conquered lockdown for The Whitfields from Woolston

Here Amber tells us more.

(Q) How and where did you get engaged?

(A) We got engaged on my birthday as I usually hate and really struggle with my birthday so Matthew made the day so memorable by proposing at my favourite restaurant in front of close friends and family after asking my grandad’s permission.

(Q) Did Covid have any impact on your wedding plans?

(A) We were originally meant to get married at the Skylark Golf & Country Club in November 2020 with 60 day guests. Due to Covid-19 the guest list got decreased to 30, then 15 and then we had to postpone completely and were told we would have to wait until April 2021 at the earliest to rebook.

We received a call in December and got married last minute at the registry office on the 9th December with just my mum and Nanna as witnesses and then went to surprise my grandad at the care home in my dress afterwards.

Challoner Care Home in Chandlers Ford were so amazing and we couldn’t have had the perfect day without them. We are so grateful they had protective screens up so we were able to make the visit possible.

(Q) Who made up your bridal party?

(A) Unfortunately due to the pandemic I was unable to have a bridal party, but I was happy to have my mum and Nanna by my side as witnesses.

(Q) What are your best memories of the day?

(A) My best memory of the day is seeing my Grandad’s face light up as he saw me in my dress and he told me how proud he is of me. Not having my dad in my life, my Grandad has been the most important man and stepped up and been more of a dad to me than I could ever imagine. As a child, we did everything together so just being able to have him there made the day perfect.

(Q) What was the most stressful part of organising your wedding?
(A) The constant disappointment and uncertainty.
(Q) Did you have a first dance?
(A) No we didn’t have a first dance but my mum got the lyrics to the song which should have been our first dance James Arthur - Say You Won’t Let Go framed for us.

• Amber and Matthew’s stunning wedding photographs were taken by Keith Hutchings

The new Mr and Mrs Bailey said they are ‘beyond grateful’ to the staff at Challoner House Care Home as ‘having my Grandad there on the day made it all worth it’.

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