On Sunday 17th March 2019 Sam and Gavin woke up ready to make their commitment for life, after 2 beautiful children together.

They had planned their day perfectly and Sam had taken such care down to the very last detail; a beautiful venue, make up, hair, suits, rings, Photographer, DJ...

My role for their wedding was to photograph and capture their day. I had long conversations with Sam and we exchanged lots of messages about the nerves she was feeling, mostly excitement and she said she was mostly happy to be surrounded by her family and friends.

Sam shared with me that she was emotional about her Father Brian giving her away. As a photographer, one of the most emotional moments for me is seeing that relationship between a father and their daughter on such a special day.

The first time he sees her in her wedding dress, the pride in his eyes, the moment he walks her down the aisle and the registrar asking him for his blessing, that moment where he kisses his daughter on the cheek and takes a seat. The words that he speaks about his daughter during his carefully thought out speech and the memories and proud moments he shares. Then there’s that father, daughter dance where his little girl is now a married woman.

Sam’s father Brian was so proud of her.

So the morning of the wedding, he arrives at the venue ready to play one of the biggest roles he’s ever had to play in his daughters life and I imagine, in fact I know was bursting with pride.

Heartbreakingly, Brian never got to see his daughter in her dress, or give her away, or give his blessing at the alter, nor did he get to kiss her cheek and take a seat, he never got to stand up in front of Sam and Gavins carefully chosen friends and family and share how proud he was and he never got to share that first dance with his daughter as a married woman.

Brian passed away after being transported from the wedding venue to the hospital.

Sam and Gavin were absolutely devastated and had to cancel their entire wedding.

Words cannot describe how tragic this is for this hard working couple and their children. The time and effort they put into making their day perfect and then it being hit with such tragedy.

The couple want to thank their friends and family for their support and to the wedding suppliers who have recommitted to creating another wedding for them. Despite this, there are still things they weren’t able to commit to due to losing money and vendors not being available.

Nothing erases the tragedy surrounding this day but we could maybe help them by relieving the sting a bit financially and giving Sam help in being able to lay her father to rest and by helping Sam and Gavin to give them the day that they deserve and the day that Brian would have wanted for his beautiful daughter.