Christian newlyweds have said they wouldn’t change a thing about their small wedding following this week’s easing of lockdown restrictions in Northern Ireland.
Paddy and Rebecca Smyth held their outdoor wedding on Monday, with only ten people in attendance and social distancing measures in place.
But Rebecca said “it’s kept our perspective and reminded us of what the day is really about. It’s all about marriage, not about the wedding and all the big things that come with it.”
Family
The couple had originally planned to get married in May, but as lockdown approached they didn’t manage to bring the wedding forward in time.
Rebecca said that they contacted their politicians throughout lockdown explaining that “as Christians it wasn’t right for Paddy to live here until we were married.”
She explained how she had a son before she became a Christian and “how Paddy has taken him on as his own”. She said: “For us it was never about the big day, it was about us becoming a family.”
Rebecca added: “The ceremony was everything we wanted. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Services
Last month, congregations in Northern Ireland met together for ‘a symbolic day’ with the commencement of the first drive-in church services since the lockdown.
Church buildings can now open for private prayer and drive-in services are permitted with social distancing.
Pastor Billy Jones of Dunseverick Baptist Church said “the fact that we can come to one place together to worship God means an important amount to many, many people”.
Limited reopening of NI churches a ‘sign of hope’
Poll: Half of UK adults say some churches should reopen earlier than July