Ashbrook Court makes resident’s wish come true with “magical” wedding

William Tayler, known as Bill, has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a progressive lung condition. His partner, Nikki Wallis, supported him at home for five years before he moved into Ashbrook Court two years ago, when his care needs increased.

When Bill spoke to our nursing team about regretting that he had never married Nikki, who visits him every other day, they decided to do everything they could to make his wish come true. They first arranged a surprise proposal before organising the couple’s wedding at the home.

“The wedding day itself was magical,” Bill said. “I couldn’t have asked for anything more and I’m so grateful we were able to do this.

“I never imagined I could have a wedding like that here at the home, especially with my health, but the team organised everything perfectly. Seeing my beautiful wife walk down the aisle looking as amazing as she did was incredible.”

“The day was so beautiful,” Nikki agreed. “My favourite part was seeing Bill’s face when he saw me and hearing him telling me how beautiful I looked. It was also very special when the Reverand said, ‘Mr and Mrs Tayler’.

“We’ve been through a lot together and I would have married Bill anywhere, at any time, no matter what. I know our future is different to most newlyweds, but Bill and I belong to each other. I am now his wife, in sickness and in health, and he is my husband to cherish and love. That means everything to me.”

Our team arranged for a car to collect Nikki and transformed the home’s library into her bridal suite, where she had her hair, make-up and nails done before the ceremony.

“I felt so special,” Nikki said. “I was nervous about walking down the aisle in case I tripped, but Jason from the maintenance team stepped in and walked me down, which was so kind.

“The team all dressed up and joined the ceremony with the residents. They all made such an effort and made sure everything was perfect for us. I feel so lucky.”

In the lead up to the wedding, our team helped Nikki to choose her dress, shoes, hairstyle and make-up while separately supporting Bill to select his outfit, rings and menu.

Following a meeting with Reverand Jane, who holds weekly services for residents at our home, the couple chose the hymn ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’. Nikki walked down the aisle to Shania Twain ‘You’re Still the One’, while Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Dreams’ played as the marriage certificate was signed.

Our team secured a special circumstances licence so the couple could be legally married at Ashbrook Court. A private ceremony was held in Bill’s room, followed by a blessing in the garden attended by Bill’s two brothers, Nikki’s two friends, residents and team members.

The celebrations were carefully planned around Bill’s health, with our team ensuring he was supported throughout and able to spend a short period of time in the garden. Our home’s chefs prepared canapés, food and a wedding cake, while team members organised the decorations and entertainment.

Bill and Nikki originally met through mutual friends and lived together with their cat on Wood Street in Walthamstow.

“Nikki has looked after me for the last seven years of our relationship and I have looked after her when she wasn’t well,” Bill said. “We really do love each other very much.

“Knowing that I’m receiving end of life care, being able to leave Nikki with my name as Mrs Tayler means the world to me. She has wanted to be Mrs Tayler for such a long time, but we never did anything about it. I thought it was too late.

“I don’t have enough words to thank everyone. The ceremony in our room was personal and intimate, and then we loved having the blessing with our friends and family. Everyone has made me such a happy man.”

The proposal had also been arranged by the home as a complete surprise for Nikki. Lifestyle coordinator Lorna Morey helped Bill select a ring from a local jeweller before decorating his room with balloons, rose petals and a banner reading ‘Will you marry me?’

When Nikki said yes, our team congratulated them whilst they celebrated with a glass of champagne.

Lorna Morey led the wedding preparations with support from the wider Ashbrook Court team.

“Bill simply wanted to be able to call Nikki his wife,” she said. “We knew that, because of his health, the wedding would need to take place at the home. It was something we had never arranged before but we were determined to give them a day they could both cherish and we made it magical.

“Our residents’ loved ones become part of our extended family at Ashbrook Court and we always want to support them as much as possible. Nikki has built wonderful relationships with the team during her visits.

“It was an enormous honour to support Bill and Nikki through something that meant so much to them. It was an incredibly happy and emotional day and being able to help fulfil Bill’s wish was very special for everyone involved. Being able to grant someone’s last wish is the most precious gift.”

Ashbrook Court is an established 70-bedroom home on Sewardstone Road offering nursing, residential and specialist dementia care. It is rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and its experienced clinical team provides specialist nursing support for adults living with a wide range of chronic conditions and complex needs