A bride has praised Warrington businesses that rallied to ensure her last-minute wedding plans went without a hitch during the ever-changing COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
As a result Phil Anders and Rachael Owen were able to celebrate their wedding day in style. The couple were struggling to find a suitable venue to allow them to hold a small wedding reception close to the Registry Office and were delighted when Bold Street Wine Bar agreed to open up especially early at 10.30 so family and friends could celebrate together.
When the Priory Flower Company heard about the last-minute arrangements they organised a Bridal bouquet, buttonholes and table flowers helping to make it a Covid wedding a day to remember.
“It was all a bit of a rush as we only decided to get married at the end of August and were struggling to get everything organised because of the pandemic,” said Rachael.
“Jenny from Bold Street Wine Bar was amazing, she was my rock throughout and as the Covid rules changed, her support never waivered. She was like a surrogate Matron of Honour nothing was too much trouble. I’m really grateful to her and the team for helping to make the day so special.
“I was also very moved to receive the beautiful flowers by Beth from the priory Flower Company who, when she heard that I still didn’t even have a wedding dress the week before the wedding, organised a beautiful, bridal bouquet!”
The couple decided to get married at Warrington Registry Office, having been together for over 17 years. This decision followed quite a difficult start to the year when Phil was admitted into Whiston Hospital for urgent surgery as the rest of the country entered Lockdown. With Phil now responding well to treatment, the decision was made to make their relationship official and provide their 13-year-old daughter the opportunity to be their Chief Bridesmaid.
Their daughter, Eesha Anders, also organised for some specially designed, face coverings which had to be worn by everyone throughout, to be made by Runcorn based, CIC Sew Halton. She also made and decorated two wedding cakes, a Lemon and Lime one and a Raspberry and White Chocolate, so both parents could enjoy their favourite cake on their wedding day.
“It has been quite a challenging time as the rules around Covid-19 did change resulting in the wedding plans having to be curtailed and unfortunately guests not being able to attend,” Phil continued. “Throughout it all, though, Jenny and the team at Bold Street Wine bar have been fantastically reassuring. Jenny’s ‘can do’ approach never faltered and resulted in a fabulous reception and a day that will be remembered by all.”
Jenny Arnot, the owner and General Manager of Bold Street Wine Bar could relate to the couple’s dilemma as she made the difficult decision earlier this year to postpone her own wedding. In fact Jenny had to leave the celebrations early to join friends for what would have been her Hen Party in London.
“We were delighted to be in a position to help Phil and Rachael and I was determined to do everything I could to make their wedding day a special one.” Jenny added. “We set up this Wine Bar so we could be part of and serve the local community. Being in a position to help people come together safely and celebrate important occasions, such as this, makes our job so much more fulfilling and worthwhile.”
Rachael added: “Jenny and her team are fantastic to work with and a real credit to both the sector and to the Warrington business community. These businesses are very much part of the fabric of our community and so I hope that you’ll be able to print something favourable as I think they deserve our support as they help bring us together and support us during times of need.
“I’ve had a wonderful experience shopping in Warrington in preparation for my last-minute wedding and it’s highlighted to me the importance of a strong retail and hospitality sector. My wedding day would have been a complete disaster without the really helpful staff working in Warrington who have helped us find an outfits and a rings, and pulled everything together all at the last minute.
