Portsmouth couple's wedding nearly didn't happen because of coronavirus lockdown

Matthew and Sarah on their wedding day. Picture: Carla Mortimer Photography, carlamortimerweddingphotography.co.uk

The Portsmouth couple had planned their dream wedding for two years and arranged to get married at The Langstone Hotel, Hayling Island, on March 21.

But on the evening of March 20, prime minister Boris Johnson started to put restrictions in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus before the country went into lockdown on March 23.

Sarah, 28, says: ‘It was completely heartbreaking. Langstone Hotel rang me at 9pm the night before saying we were going to have to change our plans. But they were so good to allow us to still have our day.

Sarah posing for photographs on her wedding day. Picture: Carla Mortimer Photography, carlamortimerweddingphotography.co.uk

‘We didn’t know how we were going to do it but they found a way.’

Sarah and Matthew, 27, had to whittle down their 65-person guest list to just 15 of their closest family and friends.

‘It was so hard to pick and give our guests less than 24 hours notice,’ adds Sarah.

‘But we still had a lovely day. We have now rebooked to have a proper wedding next year in March.’

Matthew and Sarah together on their wedding day. Picture: Carla Mortimer Photography, carlamortimerweddingphotography.co.uk

The Edsers got engaged on Christmas Day 2018 while they were unwrapping presents with their three daughters Sophia, five, four-year-old Ella, and Millie, two.

Sarah says: ‘I met Matthew while I was out clubbing in Portsmouth Guildhall in 2012. He messaged me on Facebook afterwards and it went from there.

‘Our eldest daughter Sophia was so excited because she knew she was going to be a bridesmaid.’

The family are now looking forward to properly celebrating their wedding next year and are enjoying time together.

Matt smiles and says: ‘I love everything about her.’

‘Matt’s my best friend,’ adds Sarah.

Pictures by Carla Mortimer Photography.