Celebrations for Darlington couple after the big day finally arrives

Sophie and Rob Boston, from Darlington, were married on September 11 at Hardwick Hall Hotel after their first date of May 1 fell victim to the pandemic restrictions.

Picture: Ryan Etherington Photography

Sophie, who wore an ivory lace wedding dress, said: “The original wedding date was set for May, but coronavirus got in the way. We were so disappointed, and all the wedding preparations were put on hold. Eventually we were able to get a new date for September.

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“The staff at Hardwick Hall Hotel were very supportive and they pulled out all the stops to give us a wonderful day.”

The wedding went ahead with just 27 guests and was a smaller celebration than the couple had planned.

Sophie said: “Although there were fewer people, it was a more intimate event, and special one. We were very lucky because the following week new restrictions were put in place for weddings, without a reception, so we had just managed to slip in through the window of opportunity before it was closed.

“Obviously marrying each other was the best part of our day, but getting to spend our day with the most important people was the best thing we could have wished for. It was perfect from start to end and we could not have asked for a better day.

Picture: Ryan Etherington Photography

“We would like to say a big thank you to our friends and family who helped us keep positive through these uncertain times and who helped us organise and plan our special day, including all the hurdles we had to jump to get there.

“A big thank you to Hardwick Hall Hotel who made sure our day was amazing, even through these uncertain times.”