Bride-to-be stages pretend wedding for dying mum

A bride-to-be staged a pretend wedding four months ahead of officially tying the knot so her terminally ill mother could be part of her big day.

Chloe Bearman, from Felixstowe, and her boyfriend of 11 years, Daniel Barnes, took part in the Celebration of Love event at St Elizabeth Hospice in Ipswich.

The couple, whose real wedding is in August, held the extra service on Monday after accepting that Chloe's mum, Karen Bearman, 61, is "nearing the end of her life".

Chloe said her mother had always wanted to see her and Daniel get married and they even got to have some "girly and special bonding" time before the ceremony.

"It wasn't a marriage ceremony, it was a blessing, but that was sort of enough for my mum to see us make that commitment," she said.

"We wanted to celebrate the love that we all had for her, as well as the love that me and Dan have for each other – we wanted her to be as much a part of as we were.

"She really enjoyed it and couldn't stop smiling. She was beaming from ear to ear. It really was just the perfect day and the stars aligned."

The ceremony was arranged over the course of a weekend, with Chloe having to purchase a wedding dress from the internet as the one for her true big day was not ready.

Chloe said the hospice staff went "above and beyond" to make their big day special, making everything from sandwiches and scones, to a wedding cake.

This allowed her to enjoy precious time with her mother, as well as her father, Mark Bearman, 64, without having to worry about organising anything.

"My mum couldn't be in a better place – she is safe and comfortable, and I feel really connected to this place now," she added.

"It's just such a special place run by such special people."

Karen was moved into the hospice just two weeks ago, having been diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer of the womb last summer.

Since then her condition has gradually deteriorated and she was recently placed on end-of-life care after a decision was made to stop her medications.

"She didn't have any quality of life, and it was really horrible to witness, so it was decided that we would just keep her comfortable," added Chloe.

"She's still with us, she's the mum we know and love, but she is sleeping more now, but she is comfortable and is at peace - that's all we can ask for."

While she may not be at the couple's real wedding, Chloe said her mum has made it perfectly clear that they are still to enjoy it just as much as they would if she was.

"That's what she wants, and she has basically said to us that if we don't have a good time at our wedding, then she is going to make it rain," Chloe added.

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