Day felt so special for Martin Terry and Christina Marshall who tied the knot in Penwortham

Traditional wedding favours were replaced by mini hand gels and matching face masks for the guests at their wedding, but Christina Marshall and Martin Terry said it felt so special to be able to marry in such strange times.
Martin and Christina Terry, who were married at St Mary Magdalen Church in Penwortham. Photos: Neil White PhotographyMartin and Christina Terry, who were married at St Mary Magdalen Church in Penwortham. Photos: Neil White Photography
Martin and Christina Terry, who were married at St Mary Magdalen Church in Penwortham. Photos: Neil White Photography

But was a tense time in the run up to their big day on September 19.

With the ever changing tide of Covid restrictions to adhere to, it was touch and go several times whether or not they would be able to keep to their wedding date.

The Penwortham couple are both key workers.

Martin and Christina Terry. Photo: Neil White PhotographyMartin and Christina Terry. Photo: Neil White Photography
Martin and Christina Terry. Photo: Neil White Photography
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Christina spent lockdown working in the school where she teaches, looking after the children whose parents were helping to keep the country going through the darkest weeks of the pandemic.

And for Martin, his work as a warehouse supervisor for Olympus Medical Equipment, meant his role in providing NHS scopes and ventilator machines and parts was crucial to the coronavirus effort.

But they couldn’t wait for their wedding day.

Christina, 30, said: “We were supposed to get married in April just a few weeks after the world went bonkers and Covid cancellations crossed the country.

Martin and Christina Terry. Photo: Neil White PhotographyMartin and Christina Terry. Photo: Neil White Photography
Martin and Christina Terry. Photo: Neil White Photography

“We were absolutely devastated but 100 per cent understood why!

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“Even knowing that it was for the best, having to cancel our wedding day that we had been so looking forward to was absolutely heartbreaking.”

They met online and Martin proposed on a trip to Lisbon.

Unfortunately the engagement ring, which had been ordered, didn’t arrive in time for their holiday.

Martin and Christina Terry. Photo: Neil White PhotographyMartin and Christina Terry. Photo: Neil White Photography
Martin and Christina Terry. Photo: Neil White Photography

Determined to still pop the question, he bought a bag of Haribo sweets and walked around with a gummy ring in his pocket until he found the right moment.

That moment came in the Jardim de Estrella. Of course, Christina said yes and although she was eventually given the real engagement ring, she still has the Haribo one in a ring box.

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As the weeks passed by and restrictions began to ease slightly, they managed to rearrange the ceremony at St Mary Magdalen’s Catholic Church.

They risked organising a mini reception that allowed for 30 guests but they were still unsure whether it would be allowed.

Martin and Christina Terry. Photo: Neil White PhotographyMartin and Christina Terry. Photo: Neil White Photography
Martin and Christina Terry. Photo: Neil White Photography

After a brief moment of terror the day before the wedding when the Prime Minister announced new celebration and hospitality restrictions and halved the numbers permitted for weddings, they were relieved to be told that their wedding would take place - just before the restrictions were introduced.

“Finally a bit of luck, the day before, and were able to get excited,” said Christina.

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“I kissed my then fiancé goodbye and went to my parents, where I am part of their support bubble for medical support reasons, to finally breathe a sigh of relief.

“I got to work creating 30 individual brown paper bag packed lunches ready for our guests the following day.”

The day dawned and the sun was shining on Penwortham and it was the happiest day of their lives.

With her mum and dad, Sarah and Tony Marshall, best man Andy Robinson, man of honour Christopher Greaves-Thomas and maid of honour Jane Marshall, the ceremony went without a hitch

Martin and Christina Terry. Photo: Neil White PhotographyMartin and Christina Terry. Photo: Neil White Photography
Martin and Christina Terry. Photo: Neil White Photography
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“I never thought I would say this if you’d asked me a month ago, but I honestly would not change a single part of the day,” said Christina.

“And I decided to embrace the current situation by creating hand gel wedding favours and making matching face masks for everyone that matched the colour scheme.

“It felt so special to be able to celebrate in such strange times with our closest friends and family.”

Those who made the day special:

Bride’s parents: Sarah and Tony Marshall

Best man: Andy Robinson

Man of honour: Christopher Greaves-Thomas

Maid of honour: Jane Marshall

Venue: St Mary’s Magdalen Catholic Church

Honeymoon: Hoping to go to Athens

Photos: Neil White Photography www.neilwhite.co.uk 07968 273505

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