It was a case of third time lucky for couple Katie Oram and James O'Connor.

Their wedding was originally due to be held in June but was twice postponed because of Covid restrictions. However, it was worth the wait. The pair finally tied the knot in a beautiful Dartmoor venue in late September and the 85 guests were able to mingle in warm, sunny weather. The abundant floral decorations and bouquets were mostly homegrown.

Katie is the daughter of Mr and Mrs Charles Oram of Sidford. Sidmouth folk may remember her when she used to attend All Saints Infants school and St Nicholas Junior school before commuting to Colyton Grammar school. Katie works in digital marketing in Bristol, where she and James now have a house.
James was brought up in Clevedon and works as a business analyst. The couple are keen hill walkers and have tackled mountains and hills the world over, including the Himalayas, where they reached base camp on Mount Everest.

After a simple wedding ceremony in a chapel converted from an old barn, everyone moved to the area around an outdoor pool. There the happy couple were met with cheers and showered with rose petals before drinks and canapes were served against a stunning rural backdrop. Afterwards, the wedding party transferred to another converted barn for a splendid dinner, preceded by the usual speeches.

The best man (a university friend of the groom) had some scores to settle, since the roles had been reversed a few months previously when James had been the best man at his friend's wedding. In his speech, James described his first date with Katie. He had been so nervous that when Katie had asked him where he lived he could not remember! Desperately, he described various landmarks near his home, before eventually inspiration struck and he was able to blurt out his address.

Katie and James had arranged a honeymoon in Crete. Shortly before they were due to depart an earthquake struck the island, causing significant damage. The newlyweds had experienced earthquakes before in Tokyo and Cyprus and, undaunted, they flew off anyway.