PHOTOGRAPHERS have branded the knock-on effect of the Covid pandemic on the wedding industry as ‘soul-destroying’.

Katrina Harrison and Kolette Cartmel, from Barrow and Ulverston respectively, photograph weddings across Cumbria and the North West.

The pair teamed up to form Wild Melody Elopement Photography during the pandemic, and have been ‘saddened’ to see so many cancellations in the past year. On Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson told a Downing Street briefing that the current 30-person cap for ceremonies and receptions will still be lifted on June 21, but venues will have to limit numbers and activities based on space. The Government website has been updated to state that ‘some restrictions’ will need to be enforced at weddings and commemorative events, including table service only, social distancing, face coverings and ‘restrictions on singing and dancing’, amid a delay to the planned final stage of lockdown easing.

However, Mrs Harrison, who also owns Top Gear driving school in Barrow, said couples are still unable to book their wedding date with confidence due to the constant rule changes.

She said: “I feel so saddened for all the brides and grooms. Weddings are a tonic for all families, they are a cause for celebration through the best and worst of times, of course everyone loves a good old get together and catch up. I feel for every single wedding supplier affected the knock-on effect is immense though out the industry.

“People simply are not able to book with confidence their wedding date and if they are they are faced with the added stress of will it go ahead with the guests they want and the venue they want?

“It’s absolutely soul destroying for the couples — so many have had their dreams shattered as their weddings are either cancelled, put on hold, or altered in some way.

“As suppliers, we have all felt so helpless and in constant limbo. All of us understand the need but it doesn’t help our couples or the industry financially.

“For now, we wait for the day that we can carry on doing what we love and seeing our couples happy it has has been a long emotional journey for all wedding suppliers.”

Ms Cartmel said she is desperate to get back photographing her couples without the restrictions.

She said: "I have a client getting married July 17. She doesn’t know whether to carry on and scale down to 30 guests as she wants it to feel normal. If we keep moving dates, I feel we will lose another month payday then another. I just want to be back photographing my beautiful couples.”