Lockdown weddings had the “same joy as if the church was full”, said Fr John Bracken, who celebrated two of the just 82 weddings held during lockdown.
Thousands of weddings were cancelled during lockdown, but those that went ahead were “oases of joy”, said Fr Bracken of Dundrum.
“Both were streamed on the webcam,” he said. “Because of lockdown, it was a good hit on Facebook. So many people were texting and messaging in congratulations, even those who didn’t know them! They were like an oasis, a bit of joy in all the sadness.”
The weddings followed the same guidelines as funerals, with ten people in attendance.
“The mothers acted as witnesses,” said Fr Bracken. “and the fathers acted as photographers. It really was the parents and if there were siblings living in the country, they attended.
“Family abroad could look in on the webcam. For one wedding, the sister’s recorder prayers of the faithful and sent them to me on WhatsApp, so they could be a part of the day as well.
“It was lovely – for me it’s almost the ideal wedding, it’s so intimate. They didn’t have all the stress they’d normally have of massive preparation. It was a lot simpler, stripped back wedding.”