Canon David Paul, Dean of the Cathedral of St John the Baptist in Norwich, has described the first wedding to be held since lockdown as “a lovely occasion”.
“It was a great pleasure to celebrate Joe and Victoria’s wedding,” he said. “It was the first wedding since February and more than a dozen have had to be cancelled or postponed. So it was lovely to see a return to more normal life. We wish Victoria and Joe every happiness.”
Friends and family of the couple said they had been “glued to the screen” waiting for the Prime Minister to drop the word ‘wedding’ into one of his briefings.
Victoria Knowles and Joe Howard had to cut their invitation list to 30 in line with government restrictions, and drop plans for a reception.
However, “the most important thing was for us to become husband and wife”, said Victoria “so I’m glad we held our nerve and went through with it”.
“The ceremony was beautiful and I’m so happy we’re here today celebrating with the people who came to support us – even if they couldn’t come inside.”
Friends and extended family of the couple gathered outside the cathedral while the ceremony was live-streamed.
Picture: Joe and Victoria Howard. (EDP/Sarah Lucy Brown).