Bride reveals how she arranged her wedding in 24 hours so her dying mother could feel ‘complete’ by giving her away from her hospice bed

• Anna Brown, 39, arranged her wedding in a hospice chapel in just 24 hours
• READ MORE: Emotional moment newlyweds surprise the groom’s grandmother 

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.

Devoted daughter Anna Brown (centre) made her dying mum’s wish come true by getting married at her bedside in a hospice

Anna and her husband Hugo Matcham (left) arranged a speedy wedding within 24 hours due to mum Rita’s declining health

Rita, 74, was unable to attend her daughter’s wedding as she was being housed at St David’s Hospice in Llandudno, North Wales, and was too ill to travel

‘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 recognising 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, we decided to do it. With only 24 hours notice, our wedding was organised for the Wednesday.

‘Hugo and I stopped at a Llandudno jeweller 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’. 

The doting bride was ecstatic to have made her mum’s wish come true, adding that it made her life ‘complete’

Friends and family travelled in from London and Manchester with just one day’s notice to attend the ceremony

Anna said the magical day was a success with the help of hospice staff and its vicar

Anna recalled her mum feeling and looking ‘radiant’ during the special ceremony

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 organised 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 feel grateful for her ‘long and happy life’.

Anna said loved ones worked together to pull off ‘flower bouquets and button holes’ as well as, a ‘cake and champagne to celebrate with’

Within just 24 hours, and with the help of hospice staff, the couple made arrangements to say ‘I do’ in the building’s chapel

When it came to wedding wardrobe, the newlyweds had to think quick – with both Anna and Hugo selecting items from their wardrobe for the affair

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’.

The newly wedded couple are pictured sharing a romantic kiss on their big day

Guests can be seen excitedly chatting away at the chapel wedding, while Rita rests in her bed

Rita sadly passed away just days after the wedding, but not before leading a ‘long and happy life’

A spokesperson for St David’s Hospice said it was an ‘honour’ to ‘create a very special moment’ for Anna and her family. (Pictured: Anna and her mum holding hands)

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 honour to help create a very special moment for a patient and their family recently.

‘Anna was determined that her mam, Rita, would be at her wedding. Rita, who was in our care would have been too unwell to travel for the wedding.

‘There was only one thing for it – to host the wedding at St David’s Hospice so as Rita could see her daughter’s marriage to Hugo.

‘We wish Hugo and Anna a long and happy marriage and thank them for allowing us to be a part of a truly special day’.

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