'Our hopes get shattered': Leeds bride-to-be fears Indian Covid variant could halt wedding plans after 'rollercoaster' year

The news that the Indian variant of coronavirus could delay the road map out of lockdown is another obstacle on what's been a "rollercoaster" few months for Lisa.

The 32-year-old plans to marry her fiance, Daniel Slater, at Otley Chevin Country Park and Spa on July 30.

They plan to have 52 guests at their ceremony, with more than 100 guests booked in for their evening reception.

Lisa said the couple, who have a 17-month old son, would be "heartbroken" if they had to lose guests who have already received their invitations.

"With every step of the wedding planning, I feel scared," Lisa told the Yorkshire Evening Post.

"I was elated with the announcement of the road map in June, it gave us the hope that we could have the wedding we wanted.

"But all our hopes get shattered the more announcements we hear. I found the most perfect dress yesterday, but then hearing the news of the variant and the possibility of the road map makes me feel like I can't get excited."

Boris Johnson has said the Government is “ruling nothing out” in tackling the Indian variant of concern, with delays to the road map out of lockdown possible.

"The Indian variant has worried me," Lisa said.

"Especially the news that people might not be able to dance at the wedding. If we don't have anywhere to dance the band would be a massive waste of money.

"At one point I just lost the motivation, I stopped booking venues and suppliers. Even getting my bridesmaids together is difficult - doing things via zoom, trying to sort out my hen do.

"If it's 30 people allowed, we'll go ahead with our immediate family and wedding party, but we'd have to lose the plus ones.

"We were so elated when we found out everything could work. But as we get nearer the wedding and get more excited, it would be heartbreaking to have to tell people they can't come."

Lisa's fears are share by brides and grooms-to-be across the country, with many having to reschedule weddings or cut down numbers over the last 14 months.

Lisa added: "Of course there is a big pandemic and I think a lot of brides feel guilty for feeling like this. But at the same time, there's so much upset and it's a rollercoaster.

"If we can actually marry, I'll probably cry not only with the emotions of the day - but because we've been able to get married despite all the obstacles in our way."

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