Occupy London protesters wish couple well at St Paul’s wedding

A weekend wedding at St Paul’s chapel received the blessings of protesters camped outside the London cathedral.

Natasha Ighodaro, 27, married Nick Cunningham, 30, on Saturday despite protesters camped outside as part of the Occupy London Stock Exchange demonstration.

Reports have suggested guests were forced to use the side door of St Paul’s, when in fact the couple and guests would never have been able to use the main door which is reserved for royal weddings - Princess Diana married Prince Charles there in 1981. The side door provides access to St Paul’s chapel.

Nevertheless, wedding guests had to face an unconventional entrance to the marriage ceremony, as they picked their way through dozens of tents to reach the side-door entrance.

TV crews, press photographers and tourists battled to get the best pictures of the couple and guests, while protesters wished Miss Ighodaro a happy day ahead of the ceremony.

The Occupy London Stock Exchange protests are aimed at the perceived excesses of the global financial system.

Protesters have been reported as peaceful, with bankers even offered cups of tea on their way to work.

The Reverend Jason Rendell, who conducted the service, told guests there was a “back-up plan” if trouble had broken out, with St Luke’s in Chelsea offering its services in case.

But the couple and guests were able to enjoy the wedding without disruption.

Lucy Cunningham, sister of the groom, said: “It’s sort of surreal seeing the amount of attention my brother’s wedding is getting. It was a bit worrying to hear there were protesters camped outside because I’ve been abroad and only just heard about it. But I’m pleased the day’s been a success.”

Groom Mr Cunningham added: “Love conquers all. So the wedding was always going to go ahead.”

Father-of-the-bride xxx Ighodaro, concerned the camp might hamper proceedings, visited protesters a few days before the wedding.

He said: “I wanted to suss the situation out; to check the protest wouldn’t ruin the day and I was reassured. In fact the protesters wished my daughter a happy day, so it has turned out well in the end.”

Natasha married Nick in a service in St Paul’s chapel.