FOR groom Daniel Kearney and bride Bella Straw nothing was going to spoil their wedding day – not even last weekend’s Brisbane COVID-19 lockdown that required masks and a frenzied last-minute downsizing of the ceremony.
The young couple was married in St John Vianney Church in Manly, with only 10 attendees, including priest Fr Rodrigo Tomala – in accordance with tight coronavirus restrictions.
It is the first time during the pandemic that masks were required to be worn inside churches during Mass as Queensland cracked down hard to prevent the spread of the virulent new coronavirus strain.
Mr Kearney said the lockdown scuttled immediate plans for a reception for about 100 people.
“We would have preferred to have everyone there,” he said.
“News of the Friday lockdown was an enormous shock, as the wedding was the next day, perhaps borderline mental breakdown territory.
“We decided to put our trust in God anyway and go ahead with the wedding, and it was still definitely a very special ceremony … with just the 10 (people present).”
Despite the downsized church ceremony, scores of family and friends – some from interstate – watched the wedding streamed online.
During his homily, Fr Tomala told the couple that the intimacy of their wedding was a chance for them to focus on, and appreciate, the deep meaning of sharing their lives together.
After the ceremony the couple returned to Bella’s parents home to cut a small wedding cake and enjoy champagne and cupcakes for a handful of family and guests.
“So it was still a special day overall despite the lockdown,” Mr Kearney said.
The Kearneys have pushed back their wedding reception until the end of February, but will soon be jetting north for a fortnight honeymoon in Cairns and Port Douglas.
“That’s assuming everything goes to plan,” Mr Kearney said.
