Young Melksham couple win dream wedding

A YOUNG couple from Melksham say they still cannot believe their luck after winning the wedding of their dreams thanks to a competition organised by The Brunel Centre, Swindon.

Fran Nolan and Mav Drewett beat off stiff opposition from 120 other couples, eventually being crowned winners at the contest final held at The Brunel’s Wedding Fayre on Sunday 19th January. The competition, run in association with many local businesses, included a ‘Mr & Mrs’ style question and answer round and a cake icing challenge.

The winning couple met at Mav’s sister’s wedding and have been together for around three years.  Mav said, “We were gutted for the other couple who reached the final, they came so close to winning, but now it’s sunk in we’re really excited to have won our dream wedding.”

Mav proposed to Fran on Christmas Day in the traditional style of bended knee, having first asked permission from her father.  Mav said, “We’re very young – I’m 22 and Fran’s only 20 so winning this prize is going to help so much.  When we discussed the wedding, Fran had a list of things that she wanted and it was longer than my arm.  Thankfully 90% of those things are included in our prize.”

The couple will tie the knot in front of family and friends in a civil ceremony on Sunday 21st September this year at DeVere Village hotel in Swindon, one of the sponsors of the competition prize.

Jane Stewart, marketing manager of The Brunel Swindon said, “We’d like to congratulate Fran and Mav on winning the wedding competition, they are very worthy winners and we’re absolutely delighted that they will now be able to have the wedding of their dreams.  The finale of the competition was the real highlight at Sunday’s Wedding Fayre and we’d like to thank all the businesses who have contributed to the prize package.”

Fran and Mav’s £10,000 worth of prizes includes everything that’s needed for a dream wedding, including £500 towards the bridal gown, chauffeur driven cars, wedding venue hire, wedding cake, reception, bridal jewellery and underwear, hair and make up, photography and much more.  The prizes have all been donated by businesses from in and around Swindon, many of them small local businesses.

Natalie Lovett from Love to Plan said, “I was delighted to be involved in the organisation of The Brunel’s first Wedding Fayre, such a wonderful event for Swindon, and such a hit!  I am very much looking forward to working with Fran and Mav and hearing all about the build-up of their wedding plans – it’s certainly going to be the wedding of the year!  Roll on September!”

For more information, see www.thebrunel.co.uk or www.facebook.com/thebrunelswindon.

Pictured: Competition winners Mav Drewett and Fran Nolan pictured with sponsors of the £10,000 worth of wedding prizes.