Dale and Eline Adams tied the knot on Sunday (February 14) at St Mary’s Church in Farcet after being granted a special licence due to Eline’s recent diagnosis of serious illness.
The day was made all the more special because the community in Farcet as well as others from around the city rallied to organise the whole thing.
Everything was donated free of charge, A Formal Affair donated Dale’s suit and Eline’s dress was donated and then personalised by a family friend to add the pink ribbon and stones to match Eline’s style. Neighbours donated/lent the bouquet and buttonholes, one even lent her mother’s antique ring for the ‘something old’ tradition, Eline’s friend Ally’s veil was ‘something borrowed’ and her hairdresser Nico, from L’unico Salon Ltd, was even able to help style her hair virtually.
Hearts, Stars and More sent ‘LOVE’ and heart shaped decorations for the church and local florist Maria from Shamrocks & Forget Me Nots sent the flowers, to be arranged by Farcet church’s flower lady, Hazel. The Facebook group ‘Coronaheroes Peterborough’ also sent money to support the day.
The whole day was captured by a photographer, paid for by local estate agents Firmin & Co, who volunteered to record the whole thing for no extra cost when he heard Dale and Eline’s story.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of all was the stretch limousine that took Eline to the church but before that drove around the village to allow neighbours to wave and cheer. On the way back down main street the car slowed down and friend Brain Campbell stood outside his house with DJ decks and played one of Eline’s favourite songs ‘One Love’ by Bob Marley.
Due to current restrictions, only Andy Burton, who walked Eline down the aisle, Dale’s son Daniel who was the ringbearer, and Dale’s daughters Joanne and Kelly, who were the bridesmaid and best woman respectively, were allowed to attend the service but well-wishers from the village gathered outside their front doors to wave them off and throw confetti as they left the church.
Dale said: “Me and Eline are both a bit shattered this morning (Monday) but it was an unbelievable day yesterday. It was very cold but that didn’t dampen the spirits at all.
“The day started with me walking across the road to Andy’s house and getting ready at a distance in his back garden and then when I came out and saw the limo that was going to take Eline to the church, I couldn’t believe my eyes, it was amazing. That was just for her though, me and Andy had to walk! Fortunately, it was only about 100 yards.
“Inside, the church was all done up lovely with candles and tea lights and it began to become a bit overwhelming, it began to hit home that people thought so much of us that they were willing to go to all of this trouble.
“When the music started, I almost lost it. I had a lump in my throat which is unusual because I’m not someone that usually cries, I can’t describe the feeling.
“There was so much happiness in that church and it was great to see Eline actually walk up the aisle because she was absolutely determined that she was going to do that.
“When it came to saying our vows, I looked into her eyes and almost melted. We were there doing what she always wanted, getting married in a village church. I struggled because it was so emotional, my voice broke but I made it through and I have to say, the rings were presented on a beautiful cushion, which was made by our friend Trudy.
“It was the same again when Eline said her vows. Seeing someone you know who is going through so much doing something she has always dreamed of really knocked me for six.”
After the service, Dale and Eline emerged from the church to be greeted by many of their friends and neighbours, who were on their doorsteps , who had helped to make the day possible.
The newly-weds were then driven in the limo to see their grandchildren, at a distance, who had been unable to attend the service and enjoyed a bottle of champagne, donated by the limo company, on the way. When they arrived back home, yet another surprise was revealed. Their home had been decorated with balloons and banners, with Michelle’s Delicious Dinner having donated a three course meal for the couple to enjoy. Selina’s Tea Room also gifted afternoon tea and some more bubbles. This was enjoyed in personalised champagne flutes from Little G’s Pretties along with the traditional dutch style wedding cake donated by Cambridgeshire Sugarcraft.
Dale added: “It was such a surprise when we got back and then Karen, who we call our angel for organising all of this, arrived with a big box of cards, it must have taken me over an hour to open all of them. Some people had got in touch all the way from Scotland.
“It was a special day, Eline looked beautiful, and we are just so humbled that people think so much of us that they would do all these things for us. Eline got the wedding of her dreams and we have received well over £400 of donations.
Farcet is a lovely village with people in it who all look out and want the best for each other.
“I haven’t had the chance to thank everybody individually yet but when I get a moment to put together the right words, I am going to go onto all the online groups and thank those people properly.
“So many people played a part in giving us an unforgettable day and we feel so lucky but I want to give a special thank you to Karen Grant for stepping up and organising everything. I couldn’t believe it when she sent over the itinerary, she’d planned everything down to the minute!”
