Couple spend Hayman Island honeymoon in lockdown as Covid close contacts

A Queensland couple has endured the ultimate Covid-hit wedding after the original ceremony was postponed due to a snap lockdown, the bride’s arrival on the new date was stalled by an anti-vaccination protest, and they spent honeymoon in lockdown.

Jane Armitstead

@JaneArmitstead

3 min read

June 7, 2022 - 4:30PM

QWeekend

Don't miss out on the headlines from QWeekend. Followed categories will be added to My News.

It’s not uncommon to be a little late on your wedding day but this bride couldn’t believe the unique situation she found herself in, which made her almost an hour late to the ceremony.

Lauren Knaggs was stuck in a traffic jam in the midst of a Covid protest in Brisbane’s CBD on her way to marrying her partner of five years Jonathon Beck.

Beck and their 115 guests waited for her to arrive for almost an hour before the pair eventually tied the knot at the Cathedral of St Stephen in Brisbane City, followed by their reception at QUT.

The wedding of Lauren Knaggs and Jonathon Beck. Pictures: Don't Say Cheese

The Moorooka couple, who met on Bumble, had already had their wedding delayed from their original date of July 3, 2021, due to a snap Covid lockdown at that time.

To complete the Covid impact, on that occasion the couple decided to proceed with their original honeymoon only to arrive at the destination and be told they were close Covid contacts and they had to spend the entirety of their holiday in lockdown.

What was the standout moment of the day?

Lauren: Finally getting to the Church! I got held up by almost an hour in a Covid protest in Brisbane’s CBD on our wedding day and was unable to get to the church on time.

Our guests and Jonathon were patiently waiting in the church for me to arrive. It was a rollercoaster of a day full of emotions.

What would you do differently?

We would stay within proximity to the church!

What would you spend more or less on?

We would spend a touch more money on styling and we would invest in videography.

Best advice for other couples planning a wedding?

Take your time and do what makes you happy. Don’t let your guests dictate your day; do what you truly want.

The bridal party of Lauren Knaggs and Jonathon Beck. Pictures: Don't Say Cheese

First dance song?

Boxes by Goo Goo Dolls.

Where was the reception?

At QUT’s Room Three Sixty, at Gardens Point on the edge of the City Botanic Gardens.

Honeymoon?

When our original wedding date was postponed due to Covid, we still went on our planned honeymoon. Unfortunately, when we arrived on Hayman Island, we were contacted by Queensland Health as being close Covid contacts to an exposure site in Brisbane and spent our entire trip in lockdown. The Hayman Island team was amazing though and did everything in their power to make our stay as enjoyable as possible. We extended it by one day to try and make the most of the island and our “honeymoon” as well as to regroup and plan for wedding attempt number two.

What were your original wedding plans?

It was originally scheduled for July 3, last year.

When did you decide to change plans?

We postponed the week of, on the Monday, due to a lockdown.

Lauren Knaggs and Jonathon Beck under the fairy lights on their wedding day. Pictures: Don't Say Cheese

Emotions around changing plans due to Covid?

Anxiety. Not knowing. Confusion.

We were saddened by the postponement, as the week prior everything was travelling along well.

Our lockdown came as a surprise.

What were your updated wedding plans?

We moved our second date to November
20, 2021, but in hindsight, we should have waited until 2022 as no interstate guests were able to attend.

We felt compelled to settle on a new wedding date quickly as guests had travel and accommodation credits and who was to know if Covid would get better or worse with time.

Advice for other couples whose weddings are impacted by Covid?

“You” (the couple), made the best decision based on advice available at the time. Covid was and is an unprecedented event and, “you” did it! It was a rollercoaster journey that no one can assimilate with, yet you made the best with what you had. Congratulations!