Paramedics who cancelled wedding four times due to coronavirus finally married

A paramedic couple who had to cancel their wedding on four separate occasions because of the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown restrictions, have finally married.

Rob Stewart, 30, and Beth Griffin, 25, from Malvern in Worcestershire, got married on 27 December after initially planning their big day for 25 March 2020 – just two days after the UK lockdown began in spring.

The pair, who both work for West Midlands Ambulance Service, rescheduled for the same date in 2021 but then scrapped that plan because they thought restrictions wouldn’t allow them to have the large party they dreamed of by that time.

Instead they decided to bring it forward rather than wait indefinitely, and pencilled in a small ceremony for 28 November. Then more lockdown restrictions meant this couldn’t happen. 

So they moved the date forward again to 4 November in a bid to get married in the few hours left before lockdown. But officials said they had not given enough legal notice to the council.

Once again they chose a date, for Saturday 27 December, just two days after Christmas.

They were finally able to say “I do” at Worcester Guildhall in front of a small group of 15 friends and family – even though a snowstorm almost threatened the ceremony on the day.  

Rob said: “To be honest when it started snowing heavily I was worried we might have to cancel again if people couldn’t get to the Guildhall, but it made it even more special.” 

Worcester was in tier 2 at the time so they were also able to hold a small reception at a cafe nearby. Beth said: “It was so lovely to have family there. Just being able to socialise with people again properly was amazing.

“The snow made it quite like a fairytale too, so although it wasn’t the dream wedding with over 100 people we envisaged – it certainly came close.”

The couple had one day off together before returning to work. They are planning to go on honeymoon to Antigua when restrictions allow international travel again.

Beth said: “It’s just what we needed after what has been a difficult year for everybody. We certainly felt like we deserved a bit of luck after all the cancellations.”