Wedding venue rescues couple's big day

James Flanagan said it felt as though it was meant to be when he found another venue at such short notice

A wedding venue has rescued a couple's big day after their original choice cancelled their booking with eight days to go.

James Flanagan and his fiancée Kirsty Ely are due to get married on Saturday but they say a safety issue meant the booking for their reception was cancelled.

Ms Ely said she was left "devastated" and in "shock" when they found out just days before the big event.

However they said when, in a panic, they contacted Glewstone Country House, in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, the venue told them they did have the weekend spare for their reception.

"Absolutely unbelievably they had that weekend free," Mr Flanagan said.

"It is such a popular venue with bookings going into 2026 and that was literally their only weekend available.

"It felt like it was meant to be."

Gary Homewood, owner of Glewstone Country House, said: "They were in need of a venue, we have a venue, so let us just make this work for them.

"It is about pulling together and making sure we help each other out."

Longworth Hall Hotel cancelled the couple's wedding at the venue over an issue with their fire alarm system

The original venue, Longworth Hall Hotel, also in Herefordshire, was forced to cancel the couple's wedding after they said their fire alarm system could not be repowered and failed.

The venue suffered damage in a blaze in July and business owner Garry Lanes said he was unable to trade for eight months.

Power was eventually restored after seven months but a fire alarm failure meant it was not safe for guests to stay the night, he said.

A full refund was offered to the couple but with no trade over the eight months, Mr Lanes said he was unable to pay them immediately.

While Mr Flanagan and Ms Ely wait for their refund, they have set up a crowdfunding page with a target of £5,500 to pay their new venue.

"They are taking a massive risk as a business in trying to help us out, we do not want a free ride," said Mr Flanagan.

"We have worked hard for our money and we want to make sure they get their money that they are due as well."