It’s a Bell theme as couple with same surname prepare to marry in grandad’s garden

Sometimes a couple just chime with each other and such was the case for Lauren Bell and Aaron Bell, who are tying the knot on Saturday in Cookstown, Co Tyrone.
Lauren Bell and Aaron BellLauren Bell and Aaron Bell
Lauren Bell and Aaron Bell

And the ‘Bell’ theme reverberates further as the pair will be married by Pastor Bell in grandad Bell’s garden!

Primary schoolteacher Lauren, 26, said sharing the same surname as her future husband has definitely raised a few giggles.

“My friends think it’s hilarious. Ever since we met that’s the first thing they said, ’you’ll not have to change your surname Lauren’.”

And Lauren, who teaches P3 children at Cookstown Primary School, said there are other advantages too.

“It’s handy, especially being a teacher - I was Miss Bell and now I’ll be Mrs Bell.”

Lauren and Aaron, 26, an online sales manager from Conlig, Co Down, were due to get married on July 11, but had to change their plans due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We had planned to get married in my own home church, which is Cookstown Baptist, and then we were going to have the reception in Templepatrick. They aren’t open yet, so that’s why we have decided to go with the outdoor theme.”

Lauren admitted she was disappointed when her original plans fell through, but the pair are hoping to have another celebration next year.

“it was disappointing knowing we weren’t going to have our guests there, that was the biggest disappointment.”

Instead the couple will have their wedding ceremony in her grandad Gordon Bell’s garden and will say ‘I do’ in front of Pastor Gareth Bell, who is no relation.

“We are actually live streaming our ceremony from the garden. A friend volunteered to do that, which is amazing, and that way we include guests and family members who are overseas; that was really important to us,” said Lauren.

Due to coronavirus the young couple have also had to change their honeymoon plans.

“We were due to go to Thailand, but that had to be cancelled, so we are now going to Fermanagh for the weekend and then up to the North Coast.”

Then she’ll be back to teaching and is looking forward to seeing her pupils.

“During lockdown one of their online tasks was to design my wedding dress. Some of them have submitted wee pictures of me on cards, which is lovely.”

And Lauren confessed there are compensations to having to postpone her original wedding date.

“We are planning next July to go ahead with our reception so we can have everybody there and have a big party. So, I’ll have two weddings. What bride gets to wear her dress twice? - I will!.”

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