THE PRAYER Room at the town’s Alexandra Hospital was the setting for a special ceremony this week as a terminally ill bride finally tied the knot with her childhood sweetheart after years of planning.
Michelle Taylor, who is from Sidemoor, said ‘I do’ to her loving fiance, Dean Nicholson, on Tuesday (February 2) at midday in front of their son Connor and their closest friends and family in a heartfelt service conducted by chaplain David Ryan.
In support of the 34-year-old, who was recently told her cancer is terminal, all guests donned pyjamas, onesies and dressing gowns with slippers.
The couple have been planning their wedding for years but after learning Michelle’s cancer had grown more aggressive, they decided to seize the moment and bring their plans forward.
Michelle was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2013 after discovering a lump in her breast but the disease sadly spread to her skin and lungs and has now moved into her bones.
“It was a very, very emotional day,” said mother-of-the-bride, Susan. “It was everything she has ever wanted – all she ever wanted to do was to marry her childhood sweetheart.”
Susan, Michelle’s bridesmaids and Michelle herself wore matching yellow floral pyjama sets while Mr Ryan even wore a onesie under his vestments.
Wearing a tiara and a flower in her hair, Michelle made her way down the aisle on her father, Kevin’s arm before Mr Ryan began the hospital’s first ‘pyjama’ wedding.
Michelle’s proud father said he had urged Dean, who is from Greendlands in Redditch, to make ‘an honest woman’ of his daughter.
“I was just so happy to be able to walk her down the aisle,” he added.
Speaking before the ceremony Dean said he was feeling nervous but looking forward to getting married.
On Wednesday (January 27) the 35-year-old had asked Michelle to bring the wedding forward and marry him just six days later.
“She has always wanted to get married,” he said. “When I asked her she just kept saying yes, yes, yes.”
After sealing their vows with a loving kiss, Dean and Michelle signed the register to the strains of Adele’s ‘Hello’ before a wheelchair arrived for Michelle – complete with ‘Bride and Groom’ and ‘Just Married’ balloons attached to the handles.
“It was a brilliant day,” added Kevin. “She was shattered after the ceremony but she was very happy. The staff at the Alex couldn’t have done anything more to help.
