A WESTCLIFF couple tied the knot on Southend Pier in one of the first ceremonies held since lockdown.

Ryan and Melonie Philips were married on the pier on Saturday, after sticking to their guns and not postponing their ceremony when the Covid-19 pandemic hit.

Halstead Gazette:

The couple, from Westcliff, had been dating since 2018 and had been planning the wedding for months.

The number of guests they had reduced from 80 to 11 to accommodate restrictions on gatherings.

Halstead Gazette:

Mrs Philips said: "Still sinking in how incredible of a day it was.

"It wasn’t the wedding we had planned but we still managed to walk down the aisle and say ‘I do’ with some of our favourite people there which was such a blessing.

"Looking forward to celebrating with everyone next year at our belated reception."

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