Behind the scenes with The Wedding Wishing Well Foundation

Bride magazine journalists Megan Goodwin and Julia O'Driscoll spent a day with the national charity

The Wedding Wishing Well Foundation recently helped to arrange a very special wedding in Norfolk – and Bride joined the team to go behind the scenes with the national charity.

Bride works hand in hand with The Wedding Wishing Well Foundation, a charity organising weddings for couples facing a terminal and life-limiting illnesses. The team either arrange the wedding from start to finish, or step in to help once some plans have already been made. 

Journalists Julia and Megan were quickly put to work at Glebe Farm Barn, dressing the venue for the reception the next day. From the chair ribbons to the place settings, all elements of the décor had been carefully considered and arranged by wedding planner Naomi Thomas.

As The Wedding Wishing Well Foundation is based in the South West, Naomi hadn’t seen the venue itself until the day before we arrived. She and bride Laura had been in frequent contact sending information and inspiration back and forth to ensure the day would be all the couple hoped for. 

Naomi and her husband, the charity’s co-founder, Graham are careful to ensure that the weddings they arrange are everything the bride and groom would hope for, and go the extra mile to ensure the attention to detail is meticulous. Laura and groom Bradley had used a floral illustration on their invitations so Naomi incorporated this throughout the wedding on the menus, children’s gift boxes and table plan. 

Laura says: “Naomi just took it all to another level. She took on all our ideas and added them in to the day. They were listening even when I didn’t think they were listening. It was all seamless.”  

Naomi and Graham founded the charity in 2012, and it’s been non-stop for the husband and wife team ever since. They have helped to arrange more than 50 weddings to date and have an ever-growing database of suppliers who have signed up to offer their services to the charity if possible. 

Image: James Rouse Photography

Couples in England and Wales facing a life-limiting or terminal illness can apply to the foundation if they have a low household income. Find out more about the charity on their website and social media channels. 

Keep your eyes peeled for the next edition of Norfolk Bride to read more about this very special wedding.