Over Wyre couple's wedding was cancelled - but they still got 'wed'

A couple from Over Wyre whose wedding had to be cancelled decided to stage an unofficial ceremony at their place of work, so the big day wouldn't be totally ruined.
Joanne Cato and Ben Curtis staged an unofficial wedding service at their place of work after having to cancel their real nuptials because of the coronavirus lockdownJoanne Cato and Ben Curtis staged an unofficial wedding service at their place of work after having to cancel their real nuptials because of the coronavirus lockdown
Joanne Cato and Ben Curtis staged an unofficial wedding service at their place of work after having to cancel their real nuptials because of the coronavirus lockdown

Joanne Cato and Ben Curtis had spent a year planning their wedding in Blackpool and the special occasion was coming up on April 15.

But with just three weeks to go, the nuptials at Festival House on the promenade had to be cancelled because of the coronavirus lockdown.

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The couple, of Mill Lane, Stalmine, were so disappointed after the long anticipation.

Joanne and Ben exchange their vows during the non-official ceremonyJoanne and Ben exchange their vows during the non-official ceremony
Joanne and Ben exchange their vows during the non-official ceremony

So the pair decided to keep their intended wedding day special by going ahead with the ‘unofficial’ ceremony at their place of work, the Sea Bank House Care Home on The Esplanade in Knott End.

Joanne wore her wedding veil and they both dressed in “just married” T-shirts for the occasion.

And with the dining room festooned with balloons, banners and table lamps and as staff and residents looked on, the couple exchanged their vows.

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Joanne, 37, who is manager at the seafront home, said: “We’d spent ages planning the wedding, there was a lot to organise and we were almost there when everything changed, with the coronavirus situation.

“First we were told it could go ahead but with just a couple of people there, and then it got cancelled altogether. We were so gutted.

“The day started to get nearer but the wedding was off, it was just a horrible feeling, so we decided we wouldn’t let it ruin our special day.

“We even had one of our residents walk me down the isle and a carer do our vows.

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“It wasn’t an official wedding but we had so much fun and a lovely day was had by all, with plenty of videos and photos. I think all the staff and residents enjoyed it as much as we did!”

The ceremony was extra special because it had been in that very room that careworker Ben, 27, first proposed last year, going down on one knee as staff and residents cheered.

Having at least had the opportunity to say “I do”, Ben and Joanne are now planning their official wedding again.

And this time the ceremony will be in Turkey, next summer.

Mum-of-three Joanne added: “It was great to have my sister Jodie and my daughter Chantel with us the other day, they work at the home too, but next year we’ll finally have all our families there.”

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