I had my wedding blessed in hospice so dying mum would see me as a bride
A BRIDE has married in a hospice so her dying mother could see her exchange vows.
Engaged Kerry Webb, 31, and Dean Badhams-Williams, 29, intended to tie the knot much later.
But after Kerry's mother Cindy Davies, 52, was diagnosed with terminal cancer, the couple brought forward their plans.
So last week they walked “down the aisle” of St Michael's hospice in Bartestree, near Hereford.
Kerry was able to bring the wedding plans forward with the help of the hospice's chaplaincy team, meaning Cindy, from Hereford, could be there.
They held a wedding blessing, a symbolic ceremony, which will be followed by an official register signing later.
The hospice service was attended by around 50 family and friends.
It was arranged at such short notice that Kerry had not even chosen a dress and instead wore one which had been donated to her.
After the blessing, the couple celebrated by dancing to pop hit Adorn, by US singer Miguel, before a wedding breakfast in the hospice's canteen.
Kerry, of Little Dewchurch, Herefordshire, who was given away by her grandfather,
‘I wanted mum to see me in my wedding dress... she loved every minute of it’
said: “I just didn't want to get married without my mum being there.
“I wanted her to see me in my wedding dress.
“The hospice has been amazing in making everything possible.
“From the moment I mentioned what I'd like to do, they've been great and have even sorted catering and a photographer.
“It all happened so means so much to us.”
She added: “Dean and I have been together for eight years. We got engaged four years ago.
“My mum got the cancer diagnosis about six weeks ago. She was told it was terminal a week or two later. It is bowel cancer.
“We were going to start planning the wedding this year and it would take about a year to plan.
“They haven't said how long my mum has got to live but she is slowly getting weaker.
“We arranged the hospice in a week.
“It was amazing – and it took my mind off my mum for a week.
“She loved every minute of the service. We are having an official ceremony later in the year but we are not having a proper ceremony again.
“That was the wedding. I am not doing it again without my mum.” quickly blessing but at it the