From lockdown to wedlock: Shanghai couple defy Covid woes to marry

Bride Janelle Nuyts and groom Matthew Mitchener tied the knot under lockdown

A couple in Shanghai have beaten Covid lockdowns and bureaucracy to tie the knot, celebrating their marriage in the car park of their housing compound after a ceremony officiated via Zoom from the United States.

With the "Bridal Chorus" on speaker, a smattering of socially distanced friends and an immaculate white dress complete with blue surgical mask, bride Janelle Nuyts walked down the aisle followed by an official in a hazmat suit who disinfected the ground around her.

But an easing of the rules in recent weeks has allowed some residents out of their homes, although mostly within the confines of their housing developments.

"It was all a little surreal," the Australian said, beaming, as neighbours threw rice around for good luck and cheered.

A ban on marriage between foreigners in China in place since 2019 prevented the pair from using a Chinese official, and the option to tie the knot at one of their embassies was not available.

"It kind of snowballed," said Mitchener. "The next thing we knew, we had a wedding dress arrive from our friend, and a wedding cake, a bouquet of flowers."

The pair decided in March to have their wedding officiated online after discovering they were expecting a baby.

"We didn't really expect it was going to be so romantic."

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Originally published as From lockdown to wedlock: Shanghai couple defy Covid woes to marry