A disabled couple have tied the knot after spending three months apart in lockdown.
Heidi Cowter, 25, and James Carter, 26, married in a socially-distanced church ceremony that has since been watched more than 11,000 times on YouTube.
The pair, who have Down syndrome, were forced to stay apart because of Covid-19 travel restrictions – with James at his family home in Weymouth and Heidi 180 miles away in Coventry.
Disability rights activist Heidi was so desperate to get hitched she even wrote to Boris Johnson, who appeared to answer her prayers by lifting the wedding ban on July 4.
The couple had to cut their guest list of 220 down to just 30, but were joined online by more than 1,200 well-wishers from across the world.
Heidi said: “It wasn’t the wedding we planned, but it was the greatest day of my life.
“When I walked into the church, I was so emotional and excited. I nearly started crying because James looked so handsome in his suit. I had dreamed of that moment since I was born.”
Heidi and James met two years ago. He began writing his wedding speech after their first date.
James said: “I was so excited waiting for Heidi. Watching her walk down the aisle was the highlight of the day, she looked so amazing.
"That memory will stay with me forever.
“Heidi is an amazing woman. I’m so glad I have married my best friend.”
The couple are not yet legally married as registry offices remain closed, but will celebrate their big day as they originally planned it in May, complete with nine bridesmaids and two page boys.
Earlier this year, disability rights activist Heidi joined mum Cheryl Bilsborrow, who has a two-year-old with Down’s Syndrome, to write to Health Secretary Matt Hancock seeking a change to the 1967 Abortion Act to prevent late abortions for all non-fatal disabilities.
