Last updated at 20:07, Thursday, 02 August 2012

Great Broughton couple Deborah and Edward Farrell have just enjoyed a wedding with a difference – planned down to the last detail by their own children.

Title
Author
Copyright

Description

Deborah wore a Tudor-style dress with long silver cape while Edward was decked out in a full knight’s outfit.

The main food for guests was bangers and mash.

It was all arranged by the couple’s two children Caitlyn, 10, and Rhys, eight, who chose a medieval theme for the wedding at Muncaster Castle.

And to top it all, the entire event was being filmed for TV.

Deborah and Edward, of Church Meadows, allowed the children to plan the big day for the CBBC channel.

The wedding will be broadcast on August 15 as part of the children’s series Marry Mum and Dad.

In the series, children plan their parents’ weddings and choose the theme, location, food, entertainment and cake.

Caitlin and Rhys came up with a wedding cake in the shape of a castle, and entertainment from jesters and magicians.

The food was Rhys’s favourite of bangers and mash, followed by apple pie.

The idea was formed when the family noticed an advert for the programme. Caitlyn and Rhys asked permission from mum and dad.

They then worked with Deborah’s best friend Hazel Whitelaw to contact the BBC.

The couple had wanted to get married in August last year, but delayed it after their other daughter Christina had surgery for a serious heart condition.

Deborah, 32, said: “Everything was up in the air but Caitlyn wanted us to get married.

“We planned to do it in August this year but then we got the call from the BBC and the opportunity came for the children to be involved and plan the wedding in four weeks.

“We just went along with it because the kids wanted to do it.”

Edward, 32, added: “It was a bit surreal because I didn't think it was actually going to happen.”

The couple got married on April 27 and despite having the stress of organising the wedding taken away from them they had trouble organising guest accommodation because they were not told of the location until the day before.

Deborah said: “It was quite exciting for the kids but stressful for us.

“They spent three full days with the BBC designing the cake and held a Britain’s Got Talent-style audition to choose the entertainment.

“They also got the choir from Broughton Primary School to perform at the wedding.

“The whole ceremony hall was done out in a medieval theme with a long table and trees made out of sweets which is only what children would think of.

“The children did a wonderful job. They worked as a team, took it seriously, kept us in the dark and did us really proud.

“They have such a magical imagination that anything is possible.”

Edward said: “How many children can say they have planned their parents’ wedding? It was perfect.”

Edward and Deborah spent their honeymoon at Euro Disney in Paris this week.

First published at 19:21, Thursday, 02 August 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk