PREVIEW

WORDS BYLINE: Kristin Hawthorne
The wedding they had planned to perfection was cancelled when the venue went into administration - leaving them £9,000 out of pocket.
But for Nicola Cooper and James Klosek, there was an unexpected silver lining.
The couple, from Sandwich, Kent, found out this week that they had won a wedding worth £25,000 in the spectacular setting of Bilsington Priory.
“I’m speechless,” Nicola said while groom James added: “I can’t stop shaking. This is just the icing on the cake for us. This is amazing.”
The couple, who have been together for almost 20 years and engaged for four, have one son Henry, seven.
They had been due to get married at the Blazing Donkey Country Hotel in May and were devastated when it closed.
Determined to go ahead, they booked their wedding at the Bilsington Priory - parts of which date back to 1253 - and were entered into a draw to get the cost covered for free.
But they had no idea they were one of two winners when they were invited to an event at The Orangery in Maidstone and thought they would have to compete for the prize.
“We were talking about a dance-off, you know, you name it,” Nicola said. “We were prepared to do what it took.
“After everything, it will allow us to fully relax and enjoy what the day is truly about - us.”
The second winners were Katey Rodrigues and James Rutt, who will celebrate their big day at The Gardens in Yalding in December next year.
Katey, 36, and James, 43, began dating after reconnecting at work following the pandemic.
Both single parents at the time, they first formed a friendship through that shared experience before their relationship moved to the next level.
Together with their three children - Gwen, nine, Harry, six, and Arlo, also six, they have built a blended family life.
“Winning this competition means everything to us and to our children,” they said. “It feels like it will cement everything we’ve been through as a family.”
Their children will play a central role in the celebration, which is priced at £14,000. Katey’s 92-year-old grandmother will also be taking part as a flower girl.
But for them, the win is about more than the cost of the wedding itself.
“It will allow us to truly treat our friends and family and thank them for being part of our story,” Katey added.
Emmet Hannan, director of Glow Events, said: “We are absolutely delighted for both couples. Hearing their stories and seeing their reactions was incredibly moving.
“These are two very deserving winners, and it’s a privilege to help bring their weddings at Bilsington Priory and The Gardens to life.”