IT was the happiest day of Nicola Marsden’s life.
St Joseph’s Church at Aspley looked beautiful, bedecked with flowers for the wedding.
The groomsmen and bridesmaids were delightful in their matching outfits. The reception was booked, the cake was baked.
There was just one snag for Nicola – she and her entourage were stranded at her parents’ house in Kirkheaton when the wedding car didn’t show up.
Nicola’s mum Frances is a woman used to organising things in her job as course leader at Huddersfield University’s School of Education and Professional Development.
She made several frantic phone calls from her home in Rectory Drive to the Bradford wedding car firm.
All to no avail, nobody was answering.
After 40 minutes the bridesmaids were beginning to panic.
One family friend took a groomsman and the chief bridesmaid to the church, but couldn’t fit anybody else into the car.
Finally Nicola’s father Richard could stand it no longer. He rang Waterloo’s Tandem Taxis and they stepped in to save the day.
The taxi firm sent along a white minibus and transported Kate and her remaining entourage to the church.
Frances said: “We got there just in time and the rest of the day was just perfect.
“Nicola married the love of her life, David Neil, and the church was full of friends and family who knew nothing of our dilemma.
“As we went past Moldgreen on the way to the church, Nicola waved at stunned shoppers who could not quite believe their eyes.
“The photographer commented that he had never seen a more relaxed and happy bride, despite the panic.”
Schoolteacher Nicola, 25, remained cool as a cucumber throughout. She is now living happily with husband David in Longwood Road.
She said: “I was calm, but my friends were getting a bit stressed.
“It was funny at the time and it relaxed us all a bit, but I wouldn’t want to go through that again.
“In the end it was an amazing day.”
The family has since contacted the wedding car company, only to be told that it was “running late” last Saturday and that “suitable compensation” would be offered.
On the car company’s website it states: “To make sure everything runs smoothly, we like to arrange a plan with you beforehand so that everybody knows who is being collected and at what time.
“With so many things to organise, you’d be surprised what details can slip your mind – this way you can relax in the knowledge that everything is taken care of.”
Hopefully Prince William and Kate will not have the same nerve-jangling experience and their horse-drawn carriage will turn up on time next Friday.
