Church Wedding Live Streamed To Essex Care Home So Resident Can See Her Grand-Daughter Walk Down The Aisle

Residents at RMBI Care Co. Home Prince Edward Duke of Kent Court, in Stisted, put on their glad rags to enjoy a very special wedding, which was live streamed from a nearby church.

Resident, Dot Bash, aged 91, sadly couldn’t be at her grand-daughter Kathryn’s wedding to fiancé Tom Law in person, because in line with Government guidance, she would have had to isolate at the Home afterwards.

However, Dot’s son, Peter Bash, and kind-hearted staff at Prince Edward Duke of Kent Court were determined that Dot didn’t miss the big day. So, they arranged for the wedding to be live streamed and Dot watched it in real time with her fellow residents on the Home’s huge, cinema style screen.

Residents and staff at the Home dressed up in their best wedding attire for the midday service, just as they would if they were there in person.

To create a wedding atmosphere at the Home, there were fresh flower decorations, and a tea party was held after the service. Everyone was invited to drink a toast to the happy couple. The bride’s father had even delivered a case of wine to the Home for everyone to enjoy.

In normal times, residents at the Home enjoy lots of fun, sociable and stimulating excursions, with some residents even trying activities such as ice-skating and horse-riding. So, the residents were delighted to have this really special occasion to look forward to.

Home Manager Aggie McDonald explains: “We couldn’t bear the thought of Dot not being able to see her granddaughter getting married in real time. They’re such a close family, for her to miss it would have been heart-breaking. We were determined to make it special for her and it was lovely that our other residents were also able to enjoy such an uplifting event.”

The wedding took place very nearby at the picturesque All Saints Church, Stisted, where Kathryn’s mum, is church warden. After the service, the bride and groom cut a wedding cake outside the Home, a beautiful grade II listed property, while Dot and fellow residents watched through the window. The cake was made by the Home’s chef!

Kathryn, who now lives in the Cotswold’s, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled that my Nana and her fellow residents could join in my wedding. It added an extra exciting dimension to the whole day and lasting memories to treasure. It’s lovely that the Home is doing so much. They’re having a three-course meal and canapes! In fact, they’re probably doing more than we are!”

Kathryn was able to visit her beloved Nana in the Home’s Covid-secure visitor pod the day before the wedding.

Dot told carers: “I’m so grateful that the Home was able to make this happen, so I could see my grand-daughter getting married!”