A mum told she had months to live was thrown the “perfect wedding day” when her community rallied together thanks to her best friend.
Emma Rice, 32, married childhood sweetheart Dava, 34, on April 29, 2023, after local businesses donated the venue, cake, cars, DJ, and the photographer for free.
Her big day was organised months after Emma was told she had stage four terminal ovarian cancer in January 2023.
Emma’s best friend, Louise Bell, 29, a teaching assistant, helped organise “the perfect wedding day” with the help of family and friends.
Emma said: “I felt like a princess on the day.
“The wedding day lived up to my expectations and went beyond what I thought was possible.
“I’m overwhelmed and proud to be part of a community that comes together to help those in need.
“I have suffered physically in ways that I never knew possible – I have had my life and family taken away from me.”
Her symptoms began in February 2021, when she started experiencing heavy bleeding from her vagina and discomfort.
Doctors thought her contraceptive coil had become dislodged but further examinations of her cervix revealed the truth.
Despite undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the cancer spread, and Emma was told she had around a year to live.
Emma has since gone into St John’s Hospice, at Clatterbridge Hospital, Wirral, where she is regularly visited by husband Dava and their three children David Jn, 11, Keeley-Mae, 10, and six-year-old Ariela.
Dava, a warehouse operator, from Birkenhead, the Wirral, said: “It was the best time of my life.
“My heart hasn’t moved past that day – I’m still living it now.
“We couldn’t have done it all with Louise’s help – she was incredible and we’re so grateful.
“The cancer had spread, we asked how long she had, and they said about a year – our whole world came crashing down.
“Every day feels like it’s going too fast when you’ve got a deadline.
“We always dreamed of getting married one day, but we were never in a financial position to afford it and life got in the way but I was determined to marry her while I still could.”
“She finally got the day she deserved.”
Emma and Dava first met through friends when she was 16 and he was 17 and have been together ever since.
With Emma’s health deteriorating one of their best friends, Louise, stepped up to help them organise a wedding.
She contacted local businesses and was blown away by the response – many of whom donated services for free.
The venue was free by Izzy and Paul Swift, owners of The Saddle Club, and Clarity Wedding Photography took all the photos for no cost.
The cake, food and photo booth were free and Action Wedding Videos produced a touching video of the big day.
Emma’s family even chipped in and her grandma, Mari Clarke, paid for the rings.
Dava added: “Emma did amazingly on the day even though she was tired.
“We’re so grateful for everyone’s amazing support.
“The hospice has been incredible.
“It’s been very tough on the children to see their mum getting sick, but they’ve been so strong.
“Emma and I are so proud of them and we’re making the most of our time left together.”