Lord of the Rings-mad couple overcome bride’s devastating diagnosis by tying knot in Tolkien-themed wedding
A Lord of the Rings-obsessed couple tied the knot in a Tolkien-themed wedding, complete with hobbit centrepieces and elven lanterns, after the bride was diagnosed with a devastating rare autoimmune condition that hardens her internal organs.
Becky Unwin, 34, was over the moon when fellow Tolkien enthusiast, Jack, 28, a senior projects engineer, proposed in Edinburgh in May 2017, welcoming a son, Albert, now four, just over a year later in July 2018.
Tying the knot in front of 40 family and friends on December 1, 2022, the Lord of the Rings-mad couple agreed the only suitable theme for their wedding would be the famous fantasy films, creating centrepieces, flower arrangements, cakes and signs to represent their shared love.
“My son, Albert, already requests to watch it,” laughed Becky.
“There was no question it was going to be part of our wedding day.”
Meeting Jack whilst the pair worked at a hotel in the Peak District, the couple fell madly in love.
“Lord of the Rings was one of the first things we talked about.”
In May 2017, Becky was over the moon when Jack proposed, and the pair decided to start trying for a baby right away.
“So, we initially started trying thinking that we would get married after Jack finished university and then by that time, we would have been trying for at least a year before seeing a specialist.
“But I got pregnant straight away. Jack lived in London for university while I lived in Sheffield.
In July 2018, Becky gave birth to their son, Albert.
“Albert was born by an emergency c-section,” she said.
New arrival Albert was quickly introduced to Lord of the Rings, with Becky saying he has quickly fallen in love with the epic tales.
“We watch them frequently, not every week, but enough to know the extended editions word for word,” laughed Becky.
“Its just part of our everyday life and Albert loves it too.”
However, in January 2021 the family were devastated when Becky was diagnosed with a rare auto immune condition, systemic sclerosis, after a routine blood test.
“I go to the hospital every three months to be checked out and go for scans and stuff,” she said.
“I’m not going to tell Albert until he’s old enough to understand or if it gets to that point where we know I’m on my last legs.
But the couple refused to let Becky’s diagnosis affect them and the pair decided that life was too short and booked their wedding for December 1 2022.
“Sadly Jack’s grandma and my grandma passed away so we were both left a bit of money,” said Becky.
Meanwhile, there was no argument over what the theme of the big day would be – sourcing decorations, however, proved a more difficult task.
“Before Rings of Power came out a lot of stuff was hard to get hold of,” she said.
She added: “Everything was the same green from the film, including the bridesmaid dresses. The flower girl and my son both had action figures, one of Arwen and the other of Aragon.
“My bridesmaids carried elven lanterns down the aisle and each table was a different part of Middle Earth, so the centrepiece was a model of that. That took a long time to make.
“And Gandalf was the topper for our cheesecake for the evening.”
Just like the original one ring, Jack’s wedding ring was forged for him.
A savvy saver, Becky thrifted many items, saving over £5,000 on dresses, suits, decorations and the venue.
“Our venue cost £2,200 instead of £3,400 because of a last minute deal,” she said.
“My six bridesmaid dresses were £13 each, reduced from £90 and Jack’s suit was reduced by £200.”
Tying the knot in front of 40 friends and family, Becky and Jack showed that one ring really does rule them all.
“The day was just perfect. We wanted it to represent us and it did.”
Now, Becky is focusing on making memories with Jack and Albert and the trio are jetting off to sunny Mexico in June this year for a belated honeymoon.
“It’s a honeymoon for all three of us,” said Becky.
“I’m just making the most of everything. After my diagnosis, I decided to get a professional photo taken of us every Christmas, so that both Jack and Albert will have precious memories to look back on.”