A SUPERMARKET worker who met the love of her life in Asda has finally enjoyed her dream wedding – and got it for FREE.
Nicola Vaughan, from Livingston, West Lothian, was working as a management trainer at her local store when Steven Findlay, 48, joined as a new manager in January 2005.
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Nicola and Steven Findlay met while working at Asda
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The couple enjoyed a dream wedding after 17 years together
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They won their £10k wedding after working on the frontline during the pandemic
The pair had chemistry from the beginning but only got together after colleagues sneakily set them up on a date.
Nicola, 47, said: “We spent 8 weeks working together in total and got along so well.
“I really looked forward to spending time his company not realizing that he would turn out to be the love of my life.
“On his last day with me, my colleague at the time suggested a drink after work.
“Unknown to me, it was a set up and my colleague left us on our own.
“The rest they say is history, a whirlwind romance with him moving in after accepting his role in Livingston.
Nicola left Asda in April 2006 for a job with the NHS while Steven stayed with the supermarket.
They got engaged eight years later on Christmas Day in 2013 and planned to tie the knot in 2021 before the pandemic hit.
Like many frontline workers, Nicola and Steven had to put their lives on hold during the pandemic, including having to delay their dream wedding.
Nicola worked nights as a theater practitioner at Ninewells hospital in Dundee, while Steven continued working at Asda.
But the couple finally tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony at the Apex City Quay Hotel and Spa in Dundee on Saturday, November 12.
And they got their £10k day for free as Apex Hotels and Operation Recuperation footed the bill.
The initiative was set up to reward NHS staff working at some of the hardest hit hospitals during the Covid pandemic.
Steven said: “It’s been a while coming, but we both felt now was the right time to tie the knot.
“We’ve already got four beautiful kids so had the luxury of taking our time.
“When we heard about Operation Recuperation and Apex Hotels giving away free wedding packages, we jumped at the opportunity.
“To be honest we didn’t think we’d win. I’ve never won anything in my life so when we got short listed then finally won the wedding, it honestly was a dream come true.”
Mum-of-four Nicola was given away by her eldest son Ciaran, 23, and father.
Their sons Noah, eight, and Logan, 14, also had an important role to play with Logan being best man alongside Steven’s best friend and Noah in charge of the rings.
The bride and groom’s daughter Katie, 15, was also there providing much needed support for her mum and dad as bridesmaid.
Local suppliers also pulled together to provide a range of free wedding services including flowers, cake, photographer and DJ.
Nicola said: “The wedding was perfect. We were bowled over by the level of service, the venue and food, everything. It was more than we could have wished for.
“We all had a lovely day surrounded by our family and best friends. We’re so grateful to Apex Hotels and Operation Recuperation for such a wonderful gift.”
Steven said: “We had an amazing day. I was cool, calm and collected until the moment I saw our daughter Katie as a bridesmaid.
“Then when our son Ciaran and my father in law gave Nicola away, the tears started rolling. It was an emotional moment. Thanks again to Apex Hotels and all the fantastic suppliers who made this such a perfect day for us.”
Michael Stott, Commercial Director, Apex Hotels said: “I can’t think of two more deserving people than Steven and Nicola.
“We wish all of them the very best and many happy years together.”
Rachel Sherwood, founder of Operation Recuperation said: “Had someone told me back in March 2020 when I started ‘Operation Recuperation’ that we’d end up gifting entire weddings to NHS staff, I would never have believed them!
“I’m so grateful to Apex Hotels for their generosity and compassion.
“Helping not just one but five NHS couples have their dream wedding day is a gift that literally changes lives and it’s wonderful to see that Nicola and Steven were able to get married at Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa in Dundee.”
Apex Hotels started its partnership with Operation Recuperation in 2021, gifting 10 overnight stays at its hotels across the UK to nominated NHS workers as a well-deserved break.
Following the overnight stays, the partnership went on to offer five NHS couples a free wedding at one of Apex’s nine hotels located across five UK cities.