Dorset Care Home Hosts ‘Magical’ Wedding Blessing

History was made when a Dorset care home hosted a ‘magical’ wedding blessing.

A dining room at Colten Care’s Fernhill home in Longham was decked out in flowers for the special occasion.

Newlyweds Lauren and Matthew Dearsley decided to bring their celebrations to the dementia care home so that resident Betty Aldred could take part.

Betty, 85, is Lauren’s grandmother but was unable to attend the actual wedding ceremony in Essex.

Friends and family were invited to the blessing together with members of the United Church Ferndown and Fernhill residents. The blessing was conducted by the Reverend Bob Almond.

Also present at the ceremony was Betty’s husband Fred, 83, who is a resident at Colten Care’s Kingfishers residential and nursing care home in New Milton.

Lauren, 30, said she was very close to her grandmother and one of her  greatest wishes was that she should be part of the celebrations.

“It means everything to me that Betty and Fred were in the front row and able to witness our blessing. It was very special and I’m so grateful to the home for organising,” she said.

Karen Grant-A’Court, Activities Organiser, said it was the first time a wedding blessing had been held at Fernhill.

“It was a lovely occasion made even more special by the fact that our residents were so closely involved, including making some of the flowers,” said Karen.

She added: “Our catering team did a fantastic job arranging the wedding cake and food while Rebecca Meddings from The Floral Design Company in Bournemouth organised the flowers. The whole event was magical.”