Bride moves wedding to care home so mum with dementia can be there

Rachel Berry’s wedding was reimagined to make sure her mother could be part of the day. Ruth Berry, 75, who lives with dementia and cannot leave her care home, watched the ceremony from a room at Foxhunters Care Community in Abergavenny as her daughter tied the knot with Mike, her husband-to-be, in a plan that kept the couple’s original registry-office ceremony but extended the celebration to the care home.

The couple, who live in Ross-on-Wye, were married at the registry office in Usk, Monmouthshire, on Wednesday morning. They then headed straight to Ruth’s care home to continue the day’s celebrations, transforming the venue with balloons, a red carpet, and a setup that allowed Ruth and other residents to participate. The home’s staff and residents dressed up for the occasion, turning the event into a communal celebration that blended the couple’s wishes with Ruth’s moment of inclusion.

The blessing was conducted by Richard Clarke, the care home’s maintenance manager who is also a registered celebrant. Rachel described the arrangement as a decisive, heartfelt choice: "We wouldn’t have got married if we weren’t able to have mum there with us." Ruth’s presence made the day profoundly meaningful for the family, and for the residents who shared in the moment.

The wedding party included Ruth’s son, Simon, who walked Rachel down the aisle, with Emma acting as both maid of honour and best man. Emma, describing her dual roles, said she had relished every part of the day and joked that she had been "quite bossy" about coordinating everyone’s roles to ensure timing and mood stayed on track.

"When she said she was going to do it here I thought it was a fabulous idea. I've been over the moon to be part of her special day, and having her mum here as well," Emma added, reflecting the close-knit nature of the wedding party and the care-home community.

Leah Mort, the care-home manager, recalled how unusual the request was but praised the staff for rising to the moment. "We have never held one before, so it’s been quite exciting. It’s been amazing for the residents," Mort said, noting how the day allowed Ruth and the other residents to share in a family moment that would otherwise be inaccessible. The staff helped Ruth prepare for the day and ensured she could be alongside her daughter, including coordinating the makeup and attire in a way that respected her routine and comfort.

The couple spoke about the whirlwind of the day and their gratitude for the home’s hospitality. Mike described walking into the decorated space as "absolutely amazing" and said the day had unfolded far beyond what they had imagined. Rachel echoed the sentiment, calling the celebration "magical, special" and expressing gratitude for the support that made Ruth’s involvement possible. "Mum has definitely enjoyed it. They’ve done brilliantly getting her ready and being by her side. We wanted everybody to be part of our day," Rachel said.

For Ruth, the day was a rare and cherished milestone, a moment of connection that extended beyond a single ceremony. Those assembled described the scene as joyous and inclusive, with residents and staff sharing in the couple’s happiness and offering congratulations in a space that double-counted as a home and a celebratory venue.

The event at Foxhunters Care Community represents a powerful example of how care settings can adapt to support meaningful life events for residents and their families. It underscored the willingness of care-home teams to accommodate special occasions, blending traditional ceremonies with the realities of dementia care, and creating a sense of community that extended to Ruth’s fellow residents and the broader staff. As the couple reflected on the day, they emphasized that their decision to bring the ceremony into the care home came from a place of love and inclusion, ensuring that Ruth could share in the moment in a setting she knows and feels comfortable in.