A Peel couple are the first in the island to have a civil registry wedding since lockdown was imposed in March.

Ian Raynor and Wendy nee McCann tied the knot at Peel town hall with their immediate family as witnesses from inside the building and friends cheering from the car park outside.

Mr and Mrs Raynor’s wedding day, which took place on Friday (June 12), was nearly a month after their original date was put back due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Before restrictions on social gatherings were lifted on Monday (June 15), weddings could only see up to 10 people - not including the person marrying the couple - inside an official building.

Despite original plans having been altered, the occasion was ’seamless’, Mr Raynor said.

He said: ’We realise the significance of our wedding and we’re thankful that it could be a good news story at the end of the day with all the heartbreak that’s gone on in society.

’We were only allowed 10 people inside the building, but because of the size of the room we couldn’t have that.

’We had immediate family including Wendy’s children - Dean, Chloe and Meggan - her mum, Liz, and dad, Robin, and my dad, George.

’We would have liked more people there, but we had to accept what it was for what it was.’

This didn’t stop their friends from showing support though. ’Our friends really blessed us,’ he said.

’They helped us with cars and Elaine’s Flowers to decorate them.

’A lot of friends made an effort and dressed up like they were coming to a wedding. Some stood out in the car park at the town hall.

’It was really touching.’

He thanked Derek Sewell, who was registrar, and Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer as he ’did a lot of work in the background to make it happen’. The Minister attended the wedding outside with his wife Adele.

Mrs Raynor was grateful to VIP hairdressers for giving her an exclusive slot to style her hair, as the reopening of salons meant an increase in demand.

She also thanked Butterfingers Cakes, which worked with them while plans were altered often because of pandemic circumstances.

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The couple first met each other while walking on Peel Promenade having already known about each other through mutual friends at their churches.

They got engaged last year.

’We recognise God in it all,’ Mr Raynor said.

’I’m thankful to God for bringing us together.’

The occasion was marked with a reception between close family members at Mrs Raynor’s brother Glen and girlfriend Natasha’s house.

’It was held at a beautiful location in the countryside,’ said Mr Raynor.

’They went to a lot of effort to make that special.’

Instead of waiting for borders to open for their honeymoon, the couple decided it was important to invest in the local economy and have booked a staycation honeymoon at Seascape in Laxey.