Couple Moves Wedding to Care Home to Include Bride’s Mom with Dementia

A couple moved their wedding to a care home to include a very special family member.

Newlywed Rachel Berry, 43, chose to celebrate her marriage to husband Mike at Foxhunters Care Community in Wales, where her 75-year-old mother, Ruth, lives with dementia, according to the BBC.

“We wouldn’t have got married if we weren’t able to have mum there with us,” Rachel told the outlet, describing the day as “magical” and “special.”

The wedding took place on Wednesday, Sept. 24, with family, friends, and the care home’s staff and residents in attendance. The care home’s maintenance manager, Richard Clarke, who is also a registered celebrant, conducted the blessing ceremony.

Prior to this celebration, the couple had officially married at a nearby registry office.

Rachel praised the staff at Foxhunters Care Community for their support, noting they even helped her mother prepare for the big day. “Mum has definitely enjoyed it,” she said.

“They’ve done brilliantly getting her ready and being by her side. The support has been amazing,” Rachel added.

The assisted living community shared their joy on Facebook, writing, “So, today was the day that Foxhunters became a wedding venue when the lovely Rachel and Mike had their wedding blessed by our very own Maintenance Manager Richard Clarke who is a registered Celebrant.”

“Rachel’s mum Ruth lives at Foxhunters and they did not want her to miss out on the big day. It was a truly magical experience,” the post continued.

Photos shared by the care home showcased a stunning silver balloon arch, blue chairs decorated with white tulle for guests, and a simple two-tier cake adorned with flowers.

“Rachel had asked us a couple of weeks ago if she could hold her wedding [here] so her mum could be part of it,” care home manager Leah Mort told the BBC.

Mort described the event as “amazing” for the residents, who spent the morning “getting ready, putting their hats on.” She added about Ruth, “Ruth is so happy to see her daughter get married, you can’t write it.”