Witney bride's plea to plan wedding in time for dad to see her marry

Sophie Taylor, 30, and her partner Shane Burden, 26, moved their wedding forward so Sophie's father could walk her down the aisle.

Carl, 56, was recently diagnosed with stomach cancer which meant the couple had to speed up the timeline.

Sophie, 30, from Stanton Harcourt, and Thames Water employee Shane, 26, from Sutton, and got together at Bartholomew School in Eynsham when Sophie was 13.

The bride recalled: "I’ve been with Shane half my life but we were planning to get married in a few years’ time in Turkey.

"But I recently found out my dad has stomach cancer and his quality of life is gradually getting worse.

"The only thing we both would love is for him to walk me down the aisle, with time not on our side our budget isn’t the best.

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“He has just been diagnosed and we are waiting to hear back about his treatment plan or to find out if there is any treatment he can have.

“His own father died from stomach cancer and he kind of knew even before the doctors told him.”

She added: “I only actually met my dad five years ago but we have become so close in such a short period of time. He is my absolute rock.

"And having spent so much of my life without him, I just knew I wanted my dad to be there at my wedding.”

Realising that she had so much to organise in a short time, Sophie appealed for help on community Facebook group Witney Spotted.

She was astounded when she received hundreds offers of help or advice.

The Brewers’ Tap offered to provide a bar free of charge, a ribboned wedding car was offered by Townhouse Executive Travel Limited, whroadshows offered to do the disco for free, Ozzy James Photography offered free wedding photography, event planner Christina Hopkinson offered to help for free, Sophie Zandra offered beauty treatments and Make Up by Mariella offered free wedding make-up and hair.

Singer Ann-Marie Warner posted: "So sorry that your family are experiencing such heartache. I would be happy to provide some live entertainment around your DJ. I can also sing your first dance song if it’s something in my range. X"

Kibble Property Services said they could share contacts for hall, disco, catering and possibly all decorations.

Billy Branford-Parsons said: "I have tons of tableware from our wedding which you would be very welcome to use if it would be useful - tablecloths, napkins, vintage cutlery and vintage mismatched cups and saucers for around 100 people."

Multiple wedding dresses were offered in varying sizes.

Sophie said: “I can’t keep up with the offers. It's been so overwhelming.

“The hardest part was going to be finding a venue at such short notice particularly with summer coming and that was why I reached out.

"But I was blown away by the response.

“I’ve been in touch with a couple of people who have offered wedding dresses and I have a friend who works in Blossom Bridal in Witney and I’m going to try some on to get the size and the style and then I will be looking at second hand offers and in Barnado’s.”

At the moment the likely venue is Witney’s Corn Exchange for a date around September 16.

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“Like most people I was looking forward to a big day since childhood and now that’s even more important as we want to make lasting memories," she said.

There are 77 people on the guest list including family and the couple’s son Liam, nine, who will page boy and their two daughters, Sienna, five, and Sophia, one, who will be flower girls.

Sophie will also have her sister and best friend as bridesmaids.

She added: "Thank you all so much I’m still getting round to messaging people it’s all gone a little bit crazy!

"I’m completely overwhelmed with the amazing generosity of people and feel blessed to live in such a great community."

So how does she think she will feel on what should be her happiest day.

“Dad’s obviously very excited for me,” she said. “But it’s going to be a very emotional day.”