“Nothing’s going to stop us getting married” – that was the verdict of a Redditch couple after their food caterer cancelled on their wedding in the eleventh hour.
Karen and Neill Beaman had been together 20 years before they finally decided to tie the knot at St Leonard’s Parish Church in Bewdley on Saturday, November 24.
But it wasn’t quite the wedding they had been dreaming of – despite the fact it all came together in the end.
“In the morning of our big day we realised the food caterer wasn’t going to make it,” said Karen.
“We were stressed because the wedding was at 1pm and we were relying on the caterer to bring decorations, food and to provide plates and cutlery.
“To calm me down Neill just turned to me and said ‘we’ve been waiting too long for this, nothing is going to stop this wedding now’.”
Thinking on her feet, the groom’s sister Lee Kefterton decided she would head to Sainsbury’s in Redditch and buy some treats to eat.
Lee, along with Imogen’s Hair and Beauty Redditch co-worker Vicki, knew they would miss the wedding ceremony but carried on anyway.
“When I got to the supermarket I couldn’t believe just how helpful the staff were, they really saved the day,” said Lee.
“Considering we had about three hours to get everything together they were so calm and collected.”
Staff got to work on cooking full-roast chickens and pizzas as well as bagging up rolls, plates, cutlery and alcohol.
They even helped suggest foods which might go well with the main.
Sainsbury’s manager Craig said: “It wasn’t nice that the couple had been let down.
“All we wanted to do was help them out and make whatever food they wanted – it was the least we could do.”
The manager, along with staff members Dominique Withers, Katy Ireston, Sarah Jones and Laura Mullen frantically worked hard to get everything together.
Sainsbury’s even provided the newly-weds with free £20 gift cards to use in store.
By the time Karen and Neill arrived at their Batchley Social Club wedding reception the tables were already laid out, decorations were up and the food and drink was ready to be consumed.
“It was just such an amazing thing to do and we can’t thank everyone enough,” said Karen.
