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Wedding guests face tough World Cup choice
LONDON, July 5, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – World Cup fever in England will not
extend to weddings round the country on Saturday with those tempted to glance
at their mobile phones during the match with Sweden facing a red card.
England’s first World Cup quarter-final in 12 years, following their
nerve-wracking penalty shootout victory over Colombia, takes place at 1400
GMT when many weddings or post-ceremony receptions will be taking place.
This has prompted the Reverend Sandra Millar, head of “life events” for
The Church of England (CofE), to issue guidelines for those attending the
ceremonies and advocating anyone caught sneaking a look at their mobile phone
should be sent packing.
“For those attending a wedding service at 3pm (1400 GMT), I’d strongly
encourage you to make sure you are fully on-side with the happy couple and
switch off your mobile phone in advance,” she told the Daily Telegraph.
“For those getting married on Saturday, like England fans you might
experience a few nerves, but you can be sure that it will also be the best
day of your life, with memories to cherish. Who knows, come 6pm, that may be
something you share with the rest of the nation too.” Some couples who are
tying the knot have adapted their special day.
Matt Yeo, who is marrying Sophie Wood — whom he says had to take a lot
of convincing to accommodate those guests who are football fans as she is not
one — has ordered a satellite dish for the post-ceremony reception.
However, the match will be filmed ‘live’ at 1600 GMT — posters are to
be placed banning mobile phones being switched on so people know the score —
as speeches are due at the time of kick-off.
“It has changed our plans quite dramatically,” he told the Telegraph.
“I’m having to order an aerial satellite, a projector, a TV and all the
cables in a very short timeframe.”
Gary Snoad tweeted prior to the final group game with Belgium he hoped
England would top the group so if they made the quarter-finals their game
would be on the Friday as a clash with his wedding “won’t go down well with
the Mrs to be.” However, now it is clashing he is laying the blame on others.
“My own wedding clashing with the big game on Saturday — what have I
done? Apologies to the English contingent, definitely the Welsh family side
that picked the date.”
BSS/AFP/SG/ARS/1629 hrs