PUTTING a date in the diary for a wedding is an exciting, yet testing, time for many couples especially when there is a pandemic that brings an array of rules and restrictions.

It can be hard booking a venue, sending out a guest list and arranging the seating plan, only to find out 15 guests are allowed to attend.

However, many couples in Berkshire have gone ahead with their weddings and decided to embrace the intimacy of it.

Kate Gray, a wedding photographer in Maidenhead, shared the highs and lows of what it was like to work during Covid-19.

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She said: "Being part of the wedding industry, like so many others, the last 12 months have been really difficult. We had 30 weddings booked last year and were only able to shoot four. We have moved so many dates, many of them multiple times, and now have what feels like two years worth of weddings squeezed into one!

"All of last years weddings that did go ahead had a maximum of 15 guests. We were worried that with so few people it would be difficult to create the same feeling of joy in the pictures that we would usually capture however, we were actually blown away with how intimate and special each day felt."

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"The smaller numbers didn’t affect any of the things we would usually look for, the laughter, tears and pure happiness at being able to get married were actually intensified rather than diminished. "

Now we’ve had a taste of the smaller celebrations, so are we!

Up to 30 people - including children - are allowed to attend a wedding ceremony or reception at an indoor or outdoor venue. Outdoor receptions can take place in private gardens.

Kate Gray Photography sharing pictures of weddings taken last year in Berkshire

Kate Gray Photography sharing pictures of weddings taken last year in Berkshire

In the latest announcement, up to 30 people - including children - are allowed to attend a wedding ceremony or reception at an indoor or outdoor venue.

Outdoor receptions can take place in private gardens.

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Guests do not need to be seated at socially distanced tables, though they are still advised to be "cautious" about contact with different households.

Ms Gray said she also feels cautious the rules could change regarding the number of guests the government has promised are allowed.

She said: "We are so excited to be able to shoot bigger weddings again but are cautious that the unlimited numbers we're being promised might not happen straight away.

"It seems like lots of couples are so ready to get married after waiting so long, that they’re much more open to the idea of smaller numbers this year that they were when the pandemic first hit.

"Now we’ve had a taste of the smaller celebrations, so are we!"

The photographer recently shot her first wedding of 2021, with 15 guests.

Adding: "There is something very special about them. We’ve found that all of the couples who’ve decided to go ahead with lower numbers have been so excited, it’s contagious!

"Since restrictions have started to ease we’ve definitely found that couples have a renewed confidence in going ahead with making plans, so 2022 is booking up fast.

"I think next year will end up being as busy as this year!"