Her response? "No way". But fast forward nine months, that answer had changed, and they could not be happier.

Liam and Hayley Hanigan, nee Goward, got engaged on Christmas Day in 2020 and had been planning a September 4 wedding day ever since.

But in recent weeks, as the entire state was plunged into a lockdown, it seemed like they might have to wait to say "I do".

"We were meant to have about 110 guests out at Big Springs," Mr Hanigan said.

"Then, with the lockdown and everything that was happening, we knew a few weeks ago that we had to pull the plug.

"But, then they announced that we could have a small wedding again, and we realised we could be married on the original day planned."

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The couple wed in a small wedding at South Wagga Butchery, where they first met, in a small COVID-safe ceremony.

Mrs Hanigan said she had gone into the butchery as a customer one day, and there was an instant attraction.

"He didn't realise that I instantly felt like I had a connection ... straight away, and I didn't know, but he also did as well," she said.

"It wasn't until like months later that I said something that we realised we both liked each other."

When Mr Hanigan proposed, he joked the pair should get married at his business, the South Wagga Butchery.

"He loves his butcher shop, but I said 'no way', and here we are," Mrs Hanigan said.

"Obviously, every little girl dreams of her magical wedding day, but at the end of the day, we are still together, and we are so lucky that we can get married."

Mr Hanigan said they are both extremely grateful for everything they have, and while it might not be the wedding they originally planned, there was only one thing that matters.

"We love each other, and we want to be married," he said.

"That's what is important.

"There is a lot of uncertainty with what is happening, and we just want to see the positive in what's happening."

Mrs Hanigan said the pandemic had taken control of people's lives in many ways, but having their wedding on the original date planned, albeit differently, has been a way to take some of that control back.

"We thought if we reschedule, what date can we get married," Mr Hanigan added.

"We have had many obstacles, but we are getting our day.

"Hopefully, when things get back to normal, we can still have a big party to celebrate."

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