Cancer man’s big day with zero to pay

The couple were forced to rush their wedding arrangements, but thankfully were able to tie the knot on Friday thanks to the kindness of strangers. However, in an unexpected twists of events, Steven was diagnosed with liver and bowel cancer that are already in its terminal stages.

Steven and Laura Monks celebrate their dream day.

Laura then called the charity instantly and submitted an application form.

A nurse told Laura about a charity called Gift of a Wedding, which helps couples fund their wedding by recruiting businesses to donate food, clothing and entertainment. A short time later, they were approved, and the donations for their big day began rolling in. They decided to put their wedding on hold to save up for a house.

But last October the pair, who have a two-year-old daughter Lydia, were stunned when Steven was diagnosed with stage three bowel and liver cancer.

Despite having his entire bowel removed and starting chemotherapy straightaway, he was told his cancer was terminal in April.

Steven and Laura enjoyed their ideal day, with their daughter Lydia, as their flower girl.

That’s when Gift of a Wedding, a local charity that specializes in organizing weddings for people who are terminally ill, stepped in.

‘We had a magician, candy cart, cupcakes, the venue dressing, a DJ, a florist, chocolate, favours, photography, invitations, videography, my wedding dress, seating plan and name cards, hair/make up and nails, wedding cake, a professional singer, as well as a string quartet, a ring cushion, a toastmaster, a photobooth and a wedding auto all gifted to us, ‘ said Laura.

Laura said: “Steven is now on palliative care and we don’t know what the future holds, but the kindness of strangers made our day completely unforgettable”.

“We wanted to have the same name and we wanted to become a proper family”.

Although they wanted to get married right away, they had to postpone their plans following Steven’s health news.

“It sounded unbelievable”, said Laura. According to her, they only had one family vacation, which was in Portugal, because all they were thinking about was to save.

‘We spent years saving, and looking back now, we wish we had done things in moderation.