Couple who were stuck in Spain during lockdown hold wedding on day restrictions are eased in Wales - and how businesses in Ruthin helped their big day become a reality

Jemma Ellen Greening married Alfonso Manuel Moreno Leal, of Malaga, Spain, at St Peter’s Church, Ruthin, on August 22.

The couple, who have been together for three years, decided the wedding was going to take place six weeks before.

Twenty guests attended the wedding, including the couple, and a reception was held at Ruthin Castle.

Local businesses helped the couple and pulled out all the stops to provide flowers, photos, outfits and alterations in time.

Jemma, of Ruthin, said: “I was in Spain, and stuck there during lockdown, when we decided the wedding was going to take place. We were both desperate to get back to the UK as we were staying in a small one-bedroomed flat with our dog Paloma and no garden. The lockdown was a lot stricter in Spain and we were stopped by the police every time we left our flat.

“We were then unable to fly home once restrictions had been lifted as we had adopted a 14-year-old dog called Paloma before lockdown, so we bought a campervan in the hope of driving back to Wales.

“Due to the closure of many public departments, there was a delay in receiving the number plates for the campervan. Upon realising the that the cases of Coronavirus were yet again rapidly rising, and there was another threat of quarantine and/or border closure, we made the decision to leave the van there, quickly buy a car and leave the following morning.

“It took us four days in total to travel back,” Jemma added.

“The journey itself went pretty smoothly until we arrived at the train in Calais. We were told that the vet in Malaga had forgotten to sign the front page of Paloma’s passport. We had to rush off to a vet in town and pay 120 euros to be issued with a new pet passport.

“Luckily upon returning to border control, we were able to board the train and avoided having to officially quarantine in the UK by the skin of our teeth. Although we did do our own quarantine for a week, and then took a Covid test as we are living with my elderly grandad. Both tests were negative.

Jemma Ellen Greening married Alfonso Manuel Moreno Leal. Picture: Don Jackson-Wyatt

“Our first job [back in Wales] was to get in touch with St Peter’s Church.

“We established that we would have to get married by Common License as the Banns could not be read due to no services taking place in the church.

“The next task was to decide whether we could find a venue or would have to have a socially distanced gathering in the garden post service.

“We telephoned Ruthin Castle on the day they reopened July 3. We booked eight rooms for our guests so that they would all be allowed to dine in the restaurant on individual tables.”

The couple booked August 22 for their wedding as this was the date further restriction were eased in Wales; Up to four households can now join together to form a single extended household and a meal following a wedding, civil partnership or funeral is allowed for up to 30 people indoors if social distancing can be maintained.

Several businesses in Ruthin were able to help the couple prepare for their big day at short notice.

Jemma said: “Who would have thought that we could have arranged everything in such a small town like Ruthin all in a one mile radius from where we live. It really does pay to shop local.

“Many of the businesses have adversely been affected by the pandemic and were delighted to do everything to make our day happen.

“Although there was no singing in church, we were able to have pre-recorded hymns and music played by Pianist David Smart. The ceremony was conducted in English, we were delighted that as well as being able to exchange our vows in Spanish, Reverend Stuart Evans incorporated some Spanish language into the ceremony.

“Many friends and family from around the globe weren’t able to attend but they didn’t miss out as we streamed the whole service for them to watch.

“Although it wasn’t the wedding we imagined, the simple and low key nature of it in fact made it more intimate and special,” Jemma added.

The couple have thanked everyone who was involved and helped their big day become a reality.

Special thanks were given to Reverend Stuart Evans and Father Huw from St Peter’s church; staff at the Ruthin Castle; Yellow Moon Florists; Photographer Don Jackson-Wyatt; Fineline; Val the Dressmaker and Gayla House.