Wedding a treat for 85-year-old bridesmaid
One couple's wedding was overflowing with family connections, with the bridesmaids ranging from the age of nine up to 85.
Sarah-Jane Edwards married Martin Fletcher in Alberbury last weekend, and among her bridesmaids were her grandmother Sadie Clews and Martin's daughter Erin.
She was also walked down the aisle by her brother James.
Sadie, born in 1933, lives in Market Drayton. Sarah-Jane said: "Nanny is everyone's favourite family member.
"Despite her battle with dementia she is always happy and enjoying herself, and she made the day special for us all."
Sarah-Jane, 30, is originally from Shrewsbury and lived near Hinstock before she moved to Manchester in 2007 for university. It was there she met Martin, who is now 38, and the two live in Lancaster.
She said: "My dad died nearly two years ago, nanny is still in Market Drayton. My mum lives in Scotland so myself and my sister, who lives in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, take it in turns to spend the weekend with nanny so she’s never alone and can get her hair done every Saturday.
"I asked nanny to be my bridesmaid every time I saw her for months and she always laughed it off saying she might not be around anyway. The day came and she was fantastic.
"Martin and I had no preconceptions of our wedding and contemplated going abroad, but the only thing that stopped us is that we wanted nanny there and her illness means she can’t really travel so we set about finding a venue in Shropshire close enough for her to attend from Market Drayton.
"We found Rowton Castle, were welcomed with open arms and a glass of bubbles, and our search was over. We dragged our friends from home south and Martin's friends and family from his hometown in Surrey to meet in the middle.
"Everyone knows how special nanny is to us and everyone was great with her."
Although the day was a success, there was a brief scare when Sadie choked on a jelly bean and had to be given the Heimlich manoeuvre, but recovered and enjoyed the day.
Sarah-Jane said: "Linda who is a fantastic career from Salopian Care came and picked nanny up at 7.30pm and took her home allowing us all to carry on enjoying the evening.
"Linda went out of her way to do that, and it meant a lot to us to know that nan was able to come and make our day special but also ensure she was safe and happy at home at the end of the night as she couldn’t stay at the castle with the other guests as nights away confuse her too much.
"Having Martin's daughters, my nanny and my sister as bridesmaids, alongside my best friends Ruth and Steph as maids of honour was incredible, and gave the day the family sense of occasion that we really wanted, to join our friends and family together and for nanny to be at the heart of that as she is in our lives."
