Bride reveals how she made her dying mother’s wish come true

A woman who made her dying mother’s wish come true by getting married at her bedside in a hospice says it made her life ‘complete’. Anna Brown, 39, was eager for her ailing mum Rita, 74, to attend the special day but Rita was being housed at St David’s Hospice in Llandudno, North Wales, and was too ill to travel. Devoted to making her mum’s dream come true, the loving daughter hatched a plan to have her wedding at the hospice, so that her mum could give her away to beau Hugo Matcham.

Within just 24 hours, and with the help of hospice staff, the couple made arrangements to say ‘I do’ in the building’s chapel – a sight that made Rita’s life ‘complete’ before she sadly passed away. ‘Mum was radiant that day. She was so happy’ recalled Anna. ‘The nurses told me how excited she’d been the evening and morning before our wedding.

‘They also told me that later that day, having given me away and watched us exchange our vows, she felt at peace. Complete’. Anxious for time, the new bride said the wedding day was arranged with only one day’s notice, with the couple hurriedly picking up their rings on the way to the venue. Thankfully friends and family obliged the speedy wedding and travelled miles to attend the magical day.

Anna said: ‘I discussed this with the staff that same day and recognized that having Mum there to witness our marriage and to give me away was the most important thing of all. ‘Our time with mum was running out, [so] we decided to do it. With only 24 hours notice, our wedding was organized for Wednesday. ‘Hugo and I stopped at a Llandudno jeweler en route. We hurriedly bought some bands that “sort-of-fit” and got to the chapel on time!

‘Our dear friends drove from London and Manchester to be with us. My good friend surprised us with the photographer I’d always hoped to have for our wedding day, who dropped everything at the last minute to be there with us’. When it came to wedding wardrobe, the newlyweds had to think quick – and Anna eventually dashed hopes of wearing a glamorous bridal gown. Even so, with the help of hospice staff and the chapel’s vicar, things turned out beautifully.

Anna said: ‘I wore the dress I’d intended to wear as a guest to our friends’ wedding that weekend. Hugo wore the suit he’d worn to his brother’s wedding in Las Vegas. ‘The hospice had arranged for the chapel to be decorated beautifully with bunting and fairy lights. ‘They had organized flower bouquets and button holes, a photographer on hand, a cake and champagne to celebrate with. It was incredible’. Rita sadly passed away just days after the wedding, and her family feels grateful for her ‘long and happy life’.

Anna recounted: ‘Her big heart was so full of love and pride that day, she was never one to dwell on the negative. ‘Mum knew how to enjoy life, always appreciated the little things, always found the silver linings. ‘She had always retained a youthful enthusiasm and refreshing innocence, however ordinary the occasion may seem: greeting you with a big smile, a rosy red lipstick smudge on the cheek, a big hug on tiptoes, and a welcoming high pitched “hiya!”. 

‘She was simply delightful, such a pleasure to share time with. ‘Mum lived a long and happy life, though not long enough, and died young at heart’. Anna and Hugo managed to grant another big wish for Rita before she passed. They welcomed a daughter named Megan just nine months before the wedding – and said it was one of Rita’s proudest days. ‘It filled her heart with so much love and happiness’ said Anna.

A spokesperson for St David’s Hospice said: ‘It was such an honor to help create a very special moment for a patient and their family recently. ‘Anna was determined that her mum, Rita, would be at her wedding. Rita, who was in our care would have been too unwell to travel for the wedding.

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