When it came to enjoying her wedding day, bride Martha Fossett wasn’t going to let a pandemic get in the way of marrying the man she loves.
By the time they finally married in December 2020 (one day before Tier 4 restrictions were introduced in Portsmouth), their wedding plans had already changed significantly.
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When it came to enjoying her wedding day, bride Martha Fossett wasn’t going to let a pandemic get in the way of marrying the man she loves.
By the time they finally married in December 2020 (one day before Tier 4 restrictions were introduced in Portsmouth), their wedding plans had already changed significantly.
“The wedding day we eventually had was the fourth wedding we had planned. We started with plans for a grand Southsea wedding with 160 guests but that was when the pandemic hit.
“Next we thought we would elope but the travel restrictions put paid to that and then when we booked a wedding for April 2021 we ended up postponing because there was still so much uncertainty.
“We still really wanted to get married and funnily enough the wedding we ended up having with just 12 guests at the Register Office was just the best,” said Martha.
Being such an intimate wedding, Martha didn’t have any stress on the day – she was with friends and family and just wanted to have the best time.
“The wedding was at 2pm so I was able to enjoy a McDonalds in the morning with no stress.
“The team at the Queens Hotel were so great and handled everything perfectly. They arranged Libby’s Room so we sat in a square and it was informal and felt intimate,” she explained.
Tying the knot at Christmas is always special and Martha particularly loved the Christmas decorations at the Queens.
“It looked so beautiful and we have a lovely photo of us in front of the tree. We were lucky enough to stay the night at the hotel following our celebrations and it was heartbreaking next morning as the Tier 4 restrictions meant the hotel had to close and they were starting to take down the decorations.
“Even then, when they must have been feeling so sad, the staff were wonderful and still smiling,” she said.
For the ceremony Martha chose a stunning ball gown style dress in white satin with pockets.
“I have to have a dress with pockets and I loved the sequined organza inserts in the skirt. This was only the third dress I tried on and I knew it was the one.
“I had planned a big wedding dress-trying-on day with my Mum, Marcus’s mum, my sister and grandmother but I found this dress on a reconnaissance mission with a mate.
“When I put this dress on and came out for my friend to see, she burst into tears and we both knew I had to have it,” she said.
As soon as Martha and Marcus arrived at the Queens following the marriage ceremony, Martha slipped upstairs to put on a stylish, sequin suit in cream.
“I spotted it on Asos and had bought it way before a wedding was on the horizon. If I’d had my way I would have worn it to get married but my Mum was insistent, I should have a dress,” she said.
Martha and Marcus are both massive fans of the Queens and regularly pop in for coffee or a cocktail.
As a fitting reminder of their special day, Marcus commissioned local artist Kate Howard to paint a picture of the Queens and it now has pride of place.
“We are really sentimental and we just love the Queens. It is such a gorgeous building and the staff who work there are simply the best,” she said.
And it’s not just Martha who is a fan.
“My father-in-law loved our wedding so much he booked the Queens for his wedding and the artist Kate Howard is also going to be celebrating her wedding there next year,” she said.
