21
May
2018
|
17:33
Australia/Melbourne

Harry and Meghan hit Bupa Edithvale

In the lead up to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s big day, Bupa Edithvale in Victoria decided to do their own version of the royal wedding.

Over the weekend, we witnessed the royal wedding of the year when Prince Harry married Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle.

To help celebrate the momentous occasion, Bupa Edithvale Aged Care Home organised their own royal wedding with Bupa employees and residents all getting involved in the celebrations.

After a discussion with the lifestyle team, Cherie Mason, helped to organise the whole event.

“I’m British and for quite a while a lot of the residents ask me lots of questions about the royal family.

“The royal wedding has been a big topic for them and so I thought I would give them their own celebration and let them be part of the big day,” Ms Mason said.

Ms Mason helped with sourcing outfits for the bride and groom to wear and face masks of the royal family.

“I went on the hunt for costumes such as wedding dress suit and queens outfit.

“I managed to get a vintage wedding dress donated to us and I picked up a suit, top hat and queens outfit from a local op shop,” Ms Mason said.

Just seeing the residents’ faces smiling and laughing and enjoying themselves makes it all worthwhile.

One came up to me at the end and said she loved it and couldn’t stop laughing and she also thanked me for arranging the wedding!
Cherie Mason, Life Style Team, Bupa Aged Care Edithvale

The Bupa residents even dressed for the occasion with fancy clothes and head pieces.

Bupa Edithvale General Manager, Mark Osborn was Prince Harry and his new bride to be, Megan was portrayed by Kerryn Bailey who walked down the aisle to the Bridal Waltz.

Resident Richard Fzczepanski was the priest who happily married the couple reading from cue cards prepared by Ms Mason.

The royal entourage consisted of Her Majesty The Queen portrayed by resident Marlene Robbins who was extremely pleased that she got to keep her outfit after the event.

Keeping with tradition there was champagne, cucumber sandwiches, scones and jam, and of course wedding cake to help celebrate the occasion.

Mr Osborn said “The day was very enjoyable and lots of laughs were had by all.

“One of our Polish residents sang a post wedding song which everyone loved.”

“He also taught the bride a traditional polish wedding dance.”

After the ceremony the residents all raised their glasses and toasted to the happy couple and a few of the residents even got up to have a dance.