Couple tie knot at St Thomas’ hospital with remote guests looking on

A nurse and doctor who had to cancel their wedding due to the coronavirus outbreak have got married at the hospital where they both work.

Jann Tipping, 34, and Annalan Navaratnam, 30, from Tulse Hill, tied the knot at the end of April in the Grade II listed chapel at St Thomas’ Hospital.

The couple had planned to marry in August in London, but had to cancel as their families may not be able to travel from Northern Ireland and Sri Lanka.

They watched remotely instead.

The couple got hitched in the chapel, which has features dating back to when St Thomas’ current building opened in 1870.

Jann, an ambulatory emergency nurse there for six years, said: “We wanted to have the ceremony while everyone was still healthy.

“It was a nice thing to happen in the middle of an anxious time. The chaplaincy team worked hard to get permission for us to be married, which we appreciated greatly at a time when so much was going on.

“A date was set within two weeks and we hadn’t bought my dress or our rings, so we rushed to get everything done quickly.”

The service, which took place on Friday, April 24, was held by Revd Mia Hilborn, head of spiritual healthcare at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, with only Revd Hilborn, Jann, Annalan and two witnesses inside the chapel.

Jann said: “It was nice being just us, it felt very intimate.

“It was a lovely wedding and the chapel is beautiful, although it did feel surreal getting married where we work. Now there is an extra reason why it’s so important to us.”

After the ceremony the newlyweds hosted a virtual drinks reception for their guests, which included their first dance and speeches.

“They had sent guests champagne for the reception to their homes in advance.

Annalan, an acute medical registrar who has been working at St Thomas’ for one year, added:  “Jann and I wanted to get married from the moment I proposed. We’re so happy we have been able to commit ourselves to one another and that the hospital has been able to support us to do that.”

Revd Hilborn said: “At such a challenging time for staff, as chaplains we strive to offer as much support as we can.

“I was delighted to be able to get special permission to marry Jann and Annalan in the beautiful chapel at St Thomas’.

“It was a lovely service and I was thrilled to be part of it.”

Pictured top: Jann and Annalan (Picture: Rebecca Carpenter Photography)