Care home surprises 99-year-old resident by bringing her great-granddaughter’s wedding to the home

Wedding bells have been ringing out at a Woking care home, after a resident was surprised when her great-granddaughter brought forward her wedding to ensure she could attend the big day.   

99-year-old, Margaret, a resident at Care UK’s Kingsleigh, on Kingfield Road, is unable to accompany her great-granddaughter, Bianca, and future grandson-in-law, Mark, on their special day later this year due to health reasons, so the team at Kingsleigh decided to bring the big day forward and contacted the family to plan a surprise wedding at the home. 

Wedding celebrations were in full swing with the Kingsleigh team going above and beyond to ensure the day went off without a hitch. The home held the wedding in the garden, which had been decorated with flowers, wedding bunting and chairs, kindly donated by the local community. Everyone enjoyed an afternoon tea and a glass of fizz to toast the couple – with the sunshine even making an appearance. The ceremony took place on Friday 12 May at 3pm. 

Of course, the main attraction came in the form of the bride’s wedding dress. Bianca was delighted to show her great-grandmother her wedding gown in person. After hearing news of wedding bells in the area, the team at Kingsleigh also added the local Mayor, Councillor Saj Hussain, to the wedding’s guest list. 

Commenting on the afternoon, bride Bianca said: “With my great-grandmother getting close to 100 years old, I wanted to make sure she could see me become a married woman. It’s been her wish to see me get me married for so long, and after being engaged for 12 years, she’s certainly waited long enough!”

Kelly Kelleher, Home Manager at Kingsleigh, said: “We were delighted to bring Bianca and Mark’s special day to Kingsleigh for Margaret. It was incredibly hard keeping the plans a secret, but it was worth it to see her surprise when Bianca and Mark arrived in their wedding attire. Margaret had a wonderful afternoon surrounded by her close family. This was a very emotive and happy occasion that brought joy to a very special great-grandmother. 

“All of the residents, team members, and Councillor Hussain enjoyed the ceremony and seeing the love and proudness that was so beautifully apparent on Margaret  and her families faces as Bianca and Mark said, ‘I do’, brought more ‘tears’ to the residents and team than was on the wedding cake!

“We are so pleased Margaret got to experience her great-granddaughter’s wedding and wish Bianca and Mark every happiness in their marriage. We hope they’re enjoying their honeymoon!” 

Kingsleigh has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives. The home provides residential, respite and specialist dementia care, surrounded by beautiful gardens in a quiet residential area of Surrey.

To find out more about Kingsleigh please call 01483 331948 or email Home Manager, Kelly Kelleher, at kelly.kelleher@careuk.com 

For more general information, please visit careuk.com/kingsleigh