THE wet weather ensured that many Herefordshire couples had an unforgettable wedding day as they faced "unexpected challenges".

Charlotte Slocombe and Ben Andrews did manage to get married on Friday in Colwall - but without the bridegroom's parents and only 50 of their guests.

Charlotte had arrived on time at the church despite the Jaguar she set off in breaking down in floodwater.

Her bridesmaids removed their shoes and tucked their dresses into their underwear so they could help push the car out before they were rescued by a passing 4x4 who safely transported them to the church, where the Rev Howard Mayell conducted the ceremony.

Anni Holden, director of communications at the Diocese of Hereford, said: "Afterwards, they were unable to get to the reception in a marquee at Homme House in Much Marcle. After a two-hour stopover at the Malvern Hills Hotel sheltering from the torrential rain, a relay of 4x4s took the guests to the bride's parents home in Malvern."

The reception consisted of drinks and nibbles from the local supermarket and guests dined on 55 pizzas from a nearby takeaway at 9pm, thanks to the best man and the bride's brother.

The newlyweds held celebrations with family and friends the next evening.

The following day, the Rev Julie Read had to hitch a lift on a tractor to make sure she arrived at Shobdon Church in time to take a wedding service.

While in Ocle Pychard, Stuart Clowes and Catherine Jones were married by the Rev Jane Davies, despite it being touch and go at one point whether the wedding would take place.

The groom travelled down from Brownhills near Walsall on Friday lunchtime but did not arrive at Homme House until 1.30am the following morning.

The best man was travelling from Hertfordshire with his wife and three young children and they were forced to sleep in the car on the motorway before finally arriving at their hotel at 6am.

The bride's parents were also struggling to stop their home at Ocle Pychard from being flooded on Saturday morning as the water rose to just below the door.

The wedding was delayed until 3pm and the groom's mother, who was travelling down from Brownhills, was forced to change in the taxi, arriving at the church just in time after a six-hour journey.

Bridget Jones, the bride's mother said: "We were all determined that the wedding would go ahead and everybody worked together to ensure it did."

As a surprise for the couple, a helicopter had been arranged to take them to the reception while a coach transported guests to the reception and the day continued without a further hitch.