A Letchworth couple whose children organised their wedding as part of a BBC TV show are to appear on screens across the UK next week.
Daniel and Amy Allen will appear in an episode of CBBC’s Marrying Mum and Dad on Monday, August 14.
They were best friends for years before becoming a couple, and have seven children between them – Daniel’s kids Christian, 17, Lucy, 14, Felicity, 13, and Sebastian, 10, and Amy’s trio of 10-year-old Christopher, eight-year-old Emily and three-year-old Evie.
Daniel and Amy, aged 36 and 31, had been happy with the idea of a simple register office ceremony followed by a drink – but the kids had other ideas.
Amy said: “The girls excitedly told us about CBBC’s Marrying Mum & Dad – it sounded amazing so we gave them permission to apply.
“It was a wonderful bonding experience for our children, as they all got to work together. We felt very loved and special that they wanted to do this for us.
“We were nervous but, truth be told, relieved at being able to hand over the reigns of the big day to the children. A wedding is a huge task.”
The wedding arrangements were all kept secret from Daniel and Amy, apart from the date.
“Even the Stevenage register office staff were in on the secret and had us sign three lots of paperwork for three venues,” said Amy.
“The wedding day was one of a kind. They centred it around our love for music and gave us a music festival themed wedding at Bluntswood Hall in Buntingford.
“We had everything from a special guest live band to real port-a-loos – though I don’t think anyone used them – and were so lucky that the weather was beautiful.
“We loved that so much was done locally. Our wedding cake was designed by the children and then made by a baker in Baldock called Stunning Cakes.
“The memorable moments for me where when everything was revealed to us and we saw our children and friends and family all dressed up for the wedding. Everyone had made a big effort for our day and we were so touched by that.
“There were a lot more vivid and wonderful parts to the day, but you’ll have to see them for yourself in the programme!”
She added: “The memories we’ll take from this would be having the most incredible and unique wedding, courtesy of our children. It goes without saying they are our world and we couldn’t be prouder of them.
“A special thank you should go to the CBBC crew who worked tirelessly to help the children provide this amazing day. Who were always on the end of the phone to answer questions and were an absolute delight to work with.”
Producer Emma Carroll said: “On Marrying Mum and Dad we always ask the young wedding planners to take control of their parents’ wedding, which means lots of hard work and big decisions.
“Lucy, Flick, Christian, Christopher, Seb, Emily and Evie took on a huge challenge when they decided on the festival-themed wedding, and they pulled off an absolutely amazing day.”
Marrying Mum and Dad is on CBBC each morning and afternoon – the episode featuring the Allen family will be on CBBC on Monday at 9am and 3.55pm.
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