A COUPLE whose wedding day looked certain to be cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions have made it to Mr and Mrs after all.

Jasmine Vallance had 24 hours to rearrange her wedding so she could walk down the aisle with Toby Gilkes on March 22 — a day later the country went into lockdown.

The couple, who both teach at Okehampton Primary School, had planned to marry at Fairplace Church surrounded by family and friends in April.

As the coronavirus crisis accelerated, though, they realised they would have to alter their plans.

Jasmine, from a long-established Okehampton family, said: ‘On Friday, March 20 when it was announced that all pubs and restaurants would be closing, I had a funny feeling that April 4 wouldn’t be able to happen.

‘The next morning, I phoned our minister Liz Singleton and we decided to move it forward to the next day. Suddenly, we only had 24 hours and we would be married!’

The big wedding they had planned could not now take place, with just immediate family in the church at Fairplace and no party afterwards, but Jasmine said the wedding on Mother’s Day — Sunday, March 22 — was ‘just so special’ nonetheless.

‘The sun was shining and everyone did what they could to make it as perfect as possible for us,’ she said. ‘Within 24 hours, everything came together.

‘Our colleague Clare Barton came and took photos for us, and friends and family stood and waited from a distance outside the church for when we came out, including some children from our classes.

‘On Monday, March 23, the country went into lockdown and the April 4 would never have happened!

‘It was so wonderful and we are so lucky to be surrounded by so much love.

‘We can’t wait to do it all again in the autumn so ALL of our family and friends can watch and the school choir will be singing in the church.’

‘Love really does conquer all!’

Jasmine’s bouquet was donated by a florist who is a family friend and Waitrose provided the cake for free.