IT was the wedding take two for sweethearts Marcus James and Stacey Berry as they tied the knot after their ceremony was postponed due to flooding.

The couple, who married on Saturday, were forced to reschedule their big day after the summer floods severely damaged the Rochford Hotel.

Echo:

They were due to marry in August and were only told at 9pm the night before that the hotel was swamped.

Devastation turned to joy and relief when they exchanged vows at the newly refurbished hotel in front of 130 guests on Saturday.

They changed the theme to a more festive affair and sent out invitations for Production of the year “The Wedding”

Scene 1, Take 2, in the style of a film-set clapper board.

Marcus’ mum, Lesley Bacon, said: “The looks on their faces on Saturday were lovely. They were so happy.

“We’re all so relieved, especially after the storm surge warnings last week.

“We all panicked when we heard that. But it was fine, everything was perfect.

“They were totally devastated in the summer and Marcus had to go down there to really believe it and see it for himself.

“They had to wade through water and the level was eight bricks high.

“It was Marcus’s idea the day after to call it the take two production.”

Marcus and Stacey had been planning their day since the start of the year.

They rescheduled and fortunately were able to reuse decorations which had been saved by staff at the hotel who got them upstairs.

A new cake had to be made, but the date change meant a fewmore relatives were able to make the big day.

They married with their daughters Courtney, eight, and Bella-Mai, two, as bridesmaids.

Son Joey, three, was ring bearer. They will honeymoon next year.

Mrs Bacon added: “The hotel has been amazing, from when it was cancelled, to saving the decorations, and on the day itself.

“How they managed to get it back up and open so quickly is a real achievement.”