Resident’s Joy As Granddaughter’s Wedding Comes To Ivy Court Care Home

Ivy Court Care Home, in Norwich, hosted a garden party earlier this month incorporating a themed family wedding event that took place in their beautiful courtyard garden.

The inspiration for the event which reunited loved ones, came when it was discovered that Ivy Court resident Thelma was unable to attend her granddaughter’s wedding due to the pandemic. The Ivy Court team couldn’t resist the opportunity to host a second special day for the happy couple so that Thelma could be part of the wedding and see her granddaughter in her wedding dress.

The Ivy Court team took care of all the arrangement to re-create a small part of the wedding day including decorations and a blessing ceremony from local Reverend Di Rowlandson to go along with the pre-planned Ivy Court family garden party.

The chef whipped up a beautiful three tier wedding cake and laid out a lovely buffet so residents and their families could be treated to an afternoon of food and entertainment. Residents, family members and staff were encouraged to dust off their party shoes and dress for the occasion.

Home Manager Bea Bialasik said, “We were very humbled to be able to host and be part of this special event, especially after the difficult year people have suffered with the pandemic. Even though we still have strict Covid-19 policies in place we were able to limit numbers but still re-unite families and create a memorable day for all.”

The official wedding of Thelma’s granddaughter Jaymie and Nigel Elliot-Barnes took place at the end of August. Their special day was celebrated with just close family and friends. The bride and groom very much enjoyed their wedding but were heartbroken about the absence of Jaymie’s beloved nanny.

After the event at Ivy Court Jaymie said, “We want to say a huge thank you to the Ivy Court Care Home for helping us with this special day and the blessing of the rings. Thank you for allowing us to share this with my nanny, Thelma.

“It was very special to us to be able to see such delight in her face and to fulfill her wishes in seeing me in my bridal dress. The staff, food and help was second to none. If we decide to renew our vows in time to come then we may be knocking at the door.

The sun shone on the happy couple and Jaymie and her groom where thankful to be given the opportunity to take some all-important wedding day photos with her nanny and share this magical moment with her and her Ivy Court family.

Overall, the garden party was a huge success and it was wonderful to see families back together sharing special time with their loved loves.