'Beast from the East' causes wedding mayhem for couple who had to reschedule ceremony twice

‘I spent my whole life dreaming and wishing for a white wedding’

Lucinda and Martin Kelly (Paul Mirfin)

Many hopeless romantics spend their whole lives dreaming of having a white wedding.

However, this took on a whole new meaning for Lucinda and Martin Kelly when the Beast from the East struck the UK.

The couple’s Devon wedding was affected not once, but twice by the onslaught of snow when they were forced to postpone the ceremony originally due to take place on March 4.

However, they proved that the cold never bothered them anyway by finally tying the knot two weeks later.

When the Beast from the East arrived earlier this month, Lucinda and Martin were none-too-pleased with the prospect of the weather affecting their wedding.

“The last two weeks has been a complete roller coaster ride,” Lucinda told The Independent.

“First of all our first wedding date was cancelled on the 4th, we were both so upset but then within a day we just continued as normal and focused on reorganising our second wedding!”

Lucinda and Martin Kelly (Paul Mirfin)

Rescheduling their wedding was quite a task, with both Lucinda and Martin having to go back to work in the interim.

“We had to reorganise a new DJ and make sure the hairdresser, makeup artist and photographer could all swap the date! I’m just grateful our cake could be frozen,” Lucinda said.

As the big day came around once again, Lucinda and Martin couldn’t help but feel slightly worried upon hearing reports of further freezing weather and snowfall.

“So as the 18th crept up we were hearing about the snow from all directions!” Lucinda said.

“My attitude was like, ‘It’s going ahead’. I cried out for any contact with 4x4 tractors, trucks and vans!”

Some members of the wedding party faced issues arriving at the Lord Haldon Hotel on time, with the groom and his best man having to hitch a ride with a tractor en route.

Lucinda and Martin Kelly (Paul Mirfin)

A number of their guests weren’t even able to make it through the treacherous weather, including the registrar.

However, the third time was the charm for the couple, who were finally married later that day by the hotel’s duty manager, Zoe Wakefield.

“Family including my granny of 92 and my cousin who is eight and a half months pregnant came! Nothing stopped us!” said Lucinda.

Lucinda and Martin Kelly (Paul Mirfin)

“We even managed to get a few evening guests up too!”

While the Beast from the East causing havoc for their wedding had been a less than ideal series of events for the couple, they didn’t let the unfortunate weather dampen their spirits.

“It was magical, I spent my whole life dreaming and wishing for a white wedding and I can’t believe it happened! It happened twice!” said Lucinda.