TOUCHING: A bride organised her wedding in 4 hours so her dying mum wouldn't miss it

Sarah Dawson and Mum

Sarah Dawson “married” her teenage sweetheart at her mother Rosanne’s hospital bedside after realising she had little time left.

She and fiance Mark Barlow, 27, had already brought forward the date, from next year to October 31.

But when Mrs Dawson, 51, worsened they realised that would also be too late so the bride hastily arranged a blessing with flowers, food and her entire wedding outfit.

Mother-of-two Sarah, 22, a student from Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire, said: “Mum was deteriorating and it struck home exactly how little time we had left with her.

“It was vital to me that she should not miss out on the wedding and I knew I would move heaven and earth to make it happen.”


An off-duty nurse at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, Falkirk hurriedly bought flowers and arranged them in an ad-hoc collection of vases.


A side room was arranged and the chaplain was asked to officiate. Sarah’s gown was not yet ready but the shop “arranged everything”, even lending her a veil and glamorous shoes.

Nurses even formed a ceremonial arch for the couple to pass through. Guests included the couple’s two children, Sarah’s father Bob, 53, and her brother and two sisters.