A British bride has wed in two ceremonies within two days in a bid to walk down the aisle with her grandad who is suffering from dementia.
Emma Noake is incredibly close with her grandparents, especially her grandad, George Lacey.
The 78-year-old was diagnosed with dementia in May 2024 and, over the years, his condition has worsened.
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Sadly, it meant that he was unable to attend the 34-year-old’s special day tying the knot to bricklayer Lester, 46.
So, in a bid, to make sure George and Emma were able to celebrate the day as they had always planned, she began making a few calls.
And, on 25 April 2026, she and Lester wed again – for the second time that week – in another ceremony held at her grandad’s care home facility in Wenvoe, Vale of Glamorgan.
“Me and my grandparents have always been really close,” the materials leader, from Cardiff, told creatorzine.com.
“So [I had] the idea that when I got married, my grandfather would be the one walking me down the aisle.
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“But as his dementia worsened, it was clear this wasn’t going to happen.
“Initially, when we started planning the wedding and the realisation hit that he wouldn’t be able to come due to the severity of his dementia, I was devastated.
“It’s extremely difficult living with someone in your family who has dementia because they’re still here physically, but not ‘with you’.
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“We are still carrying on with our lives but he can’t be included.
“It was a major life event he wasn’t able to be a part of.”
Emma, who originally tied the knot at a registry office the day before, had planned for a little buffet and some photos with him.
But, after the care facility, Glenburnie Lodge, heard about the affair, they helped take things to the next level.
Modelled after the real thing, their in-house chef made a two-tier wedding cake, there were bottles of champagne and a balloon arch.
And, to top it off, Emma’s dream of having her grandad walk her down the aisle came true.
She said: “It was so special to have him there.
“I was beyond shocked.
“It gave our family the opportunity to have this special life event and share it with my grandad.
“Although he may not have fully comprehended everything – it meant the world to me.”
Guests were made up of those living at the home and their families.
Sadly, while it’s a memory Emma and her family will hold forever, it’s likely George won’t be able to, as he no longer recognises them.
She said: “For my family, it will forever be such a special memory.
“We are so grateful for everyone at the home.
“It’s such a nice thought that they think so highly of my grandad and our family.
“And what they did was just phenomenal.”
Emma’s mum, Caroline Newman, added: “We cannot put into words how amazing it was; it was truly incredible.
“A wedding is always an emotional time anyway, but to have the wedding […] with dad not with us meant there was a big hole missing.
“For the home to have facilitated that in such a spectacular way, and for dad to be part of that, was just beyond precious.
“The memories that we have from this will just be etched on our hearts forever.”
Emma Watson, Glenburnie Lodge home director, said: “George was one of the first residents to move in when the home opened in 2024.
“So, needless to say, he is much-loved and very popular.
“When we heard about the wedding, we absolutely wanted to make it an occasion to remember.
“And we are delighted that Emma got to share this precious moment with George and the rest of the family on this very special day.”
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