A COUPLE enjoyed their honeymoon before their wedding because of the upheaval caused by the pandemic — and tied the knot in a small ceremony with their parents and an evening of entertainment from their dog!

Lucy Sweeny Byrne met David Fagleman after asking mutual friend in London to set her up with ‘anyone at all’. She had been living in Mexico and told her friend that she fancied a nice date and a good natter.

It was on St Patrick’s Day three years ago when David, a company director of Embryo, asked Irish rugby fan Lucy out on the day of the Six Nations final between Ireland and England.

Lucy said: “I told him ‘sure, we can go on a date together, as long as we are watching the rugby’!”

Lucy had extra cause to celebrate after Ireland won 25-15 to clinch their third Six Nations title in five years.

David proposed on Bamburgh Beach, on December 30, 2018. After the proposal, they went back to David’s auntie Debra’s apartment in Beadnell and enjoyed pink Champagne.

Further plans the pair had were postponed due to the pandemic.

The couple, however, did have their honeymoon before the wedding.

Lucy said: “It was in Ireland, where we travelled all the way down the West Coast, from Donegal, to West Cork, where we stayed with my aunt and uncle, Mick and Liz, and all tore happily through their whiskey!”

After many rearrangements due coronavuirus, Lucy and David finally got married in a small, joyful, and relieved ceremony in Hexham House. It was with just their parents, and Lucy’s dog from home, Max. The day was made extra special, as Max who stuck around just long enough to see her married, sadly passing away a few months later.

Lucy added: “Our transport was ‘Bessie’, our old 2001 Golf, whom we love and cherish, and would never have left out of our big day.”

The couple have used it to move houses including their current house in Stocksfield.

Lucy’s ring was handmade by a jeweller in Rothbury years ago, as well with their simple, platinum wedding bands, from Lucy’s father in law and jeweller, Frank Fagleman.

Afterwards, the coupe made a meal for their parents and were so happy to be able to celebrate after such a difficult year for everyone.

The night finished with a little bit of Irish whiskey and the two dads talking endlessly and wistfully about The Beatles.