This might the ultimate love conquers all story. Not only were Bryant and Matt doing a long distance relationship from the US to the UK, but then Covid happened.
They knew they didn’t want to spend another moment apart so they started looking for somewhere that they could both travel and tie the knot. The location that made the most sense – Gibraltar.
And it has quite the history of elopements over the years with celebrities like John Lennon and Yoko Ono and Sean Connery getting married there. In 2020 it became a sort of elopement hot spot for many couples in the same position as Matt and Bryant who couldn’t travel to each other’s countries because of Covid restrictions.
Check out their story and photos below with some Q&A with the couple !
Photography: Sheila Roberts Photography
Event Planner: Rock Occasions
Location: Gibraltar
How did you meet?
Matthew and I met while I was teaching abroad in Madrid, Spain. One night in August 2019, I received a direct message from Matthew from a Whatsapp group. We set up a date for the next day. We met up and talked until 6AM. We became boyfriends a month later. After my teaching stint ended, I returned to California in July 2020. We were apart for 4 months until we eloped in Gibraltar on December 8th, 2020.
How did you decide on the location?
Gibraltar is one of the only countries that would allow Americans to enter. So, I flew to Gibraltar on December 1st, quarantined for 5 days and underwent 2 COVID tests.
How did you decide to elope?
We decided to elope due to the COVID travel restrictions in place in both of our countries. I was banned from entering Spain, and Matthew was banned from entering the United States. Eloping was our only option, because our families were also not allowed to travel to our wedding (restrictions in Manchester and Americans being banned).
Did you tell anyone ahead of time or truly elope?
We told everyone about a month before. Our friends and families knew that our situation was desperate, so they understood the elopement. We are planning on hosting a larger celebration when things go back to normal!
What was your favorite part of the day and why?
My favorite part of the day was the ceremony. We had lost hope a few times, because of the COVID bans, but we stayed strong and re-booked our flights, and we finally made it to the courthouse and said I do. It was such a beautiful moment. A moment that we can keep to ourselves.
Do you have any advice for other couples planning their elopements?
Take in every moment of the day. Everything will be alright. Hold your partner tight and just love each other.
