Loving Couple Renew Vows At Emotional Woodfield Grange Ceremony

A beautiful love story entered a new chapter at Woodfield Grange this spring when Aileen and Francis renewed their vows during a moving ceremony.

Colleagues were determined to give the couple a day to treasure and spent weeks preparing to make the event extra special.

Aileen wanted to recreate the magic of their wedding day, which was 40 years ago on the same March date.

Woodfield Grange Activities Co-ordinator Julia helped source a posy of red roses and matching buttonholes to recreate Aileen’s wedding flowers.

The couple were joined by Julia, Home Manager Helen, their niece and her husband for the ceremony.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as the devoted couple pledged their love for each other again.

Julia said: “It was one of the most beautiful, unforgettable days I’ve ever experienced.

“When Aileen asked Helen and me to be witnesses for them, we were honoured.

“Their celebrant began the service at 12.30 on the dot, the time that Aileen and Francis got married in 1982.

“There were many tears of joy, and we were all so moved by their love for each other.”

After the ceremony, the couple enjoyed a buffet with their friends at the home and glasses were raised in a toast.

The happy couple looked back on a lifetime of love together during the celebrations.

Julia added: “Francis was the Head of Infection Control for the NHS, and he met Aileen at the hospital, where she worked in the restaurant.

“They are totally devoted to each other, and Aileen comes in every day to visit Francis and assist with his lunch.

“All day, Francis held his wife’s hand and kept squeezing it, so we knew how much it meant to him.

“Aileen wrote some beautiful thank you cards, but the pleasure was all ours.

“It was an amazing day that will stay with us forever.”