WEDDING BELLES GET CHANCE TO DRESS UP AGAIN FOR CHARITY
IF YOU long to relive your special day, then the Wedding Dress Charity Ball is the perfect excuse to dig out the big white dress and the sparkling tiara. Brides are invited to the ball to have fun and raise money for an important cause.
The ball, which is being held at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport in September, has been organised by Katherine Skellon in memory of her mother Krystyna.
Katherine and her husband Lyndon came up with the idea after several guests at their own wedding, and her sister’s, said they would love to re-live their special day and wear their wedding dresses one more time.
Katherine, 41, from Abergavenny, had been planning the event with her mother Krystyna before her death in January at the age of 67.
Katherine said her mum was her “best friend” and that they were “inseparable”.
She said: “Mum was supported by St David’s Hospice Care from her diagnosis to her final days. The hospice at home service made it possible for my mum to be at home and that is my main inspiration for fundraising. They provided care, kindness and compassion to my mum and our family that I will never forget.”
Katherine said: “My mum made her own wedding dress in 1971 and we felt that a charity night giving brides the chance to unpack their dresses would be a good way to raise funds for a cause close to our hearts.
“We will always be grateful to the hospice at home nurses who spent five nights at our home with us caring for her. To us, they are angels and there is no doubt that we would not have coped without them.”
On the night, there will be a red carpet, drink on arrival, a three-course dinner, live auction and raffle, a live band and a DJ.
The theme for the event is a big wedding celebration party. But it’s not just an event for brides. Grooms, bridesmaids, mothers of the bride or groom, ushers, best men and wedding guests are all invited too.
Katherine said: “We hope to see brides who would love to wear their dress again and bring their families and friends from their big day.
“There has been a real wedding buzz this year, especially with the royal wedding. It would be lovely if the ball falls on the anniversary of a couple and make the night an extra special celebration.”
Skye Lewis, from St David’s Hospice Care, said: “This is a wonderful new idea for an event and it will give people a great opportunity to wear their treasured wedding outfits once again.”
The Wedding Dress Charity Ball will take place on Saturday, September 22, at the Celtic Manor Resort. Tickets cost £50 per person. For details, visit www.wdball.com
To help with auction items, raffle prizes or sponsorship, email info@wdball.com