mond2x: Couple hoping for IVF success after winning Sentinel contest

Monday, March 28, 2011

Couple hoping for IVF success after winning Sentinel contest

WEDDING dreams came true for two lovebirds who enjoyed their perfect day after beating hundreds of others to The Sentinel's top prize.
Mark Wood and Tonia Ratcliffe tied the knot in style on Saturday with doves, vintage cars and a glamorous reception.
They beat hundreds of others to the top prize inare the winners of The Sentinel's second Win A Dream Wedding competition, which meant their special day was given a financial boost of �22,000 worth of prizes.
Almost 130 couples entered the contest to win a full matrimonial package including wedding breakfast and reception, honeymoon of the couple's choice, professional photography, a wedding dress and suit hire.
The couple, from Moss Green Village, had their ceremony at St James's Church, in Longton, with 80 friends and family and followed that with by a reception at the Moat House Hotel, in Etruria.
Tonia, aged 33, a shop assistant, and Mark, aged 36, who works at JCB in Uttoxeter, have been dating for two years after meeting on the internet.
But their dream of a lavish wedding was out of reach because they want to start a family together and are saving for IVF treatment.
Mark said: "Winning this prize was everything to us because Tonia is my princess and she deserves a perfect day.
"It's been better than I ever imagined it could be. I nearly started crying in church when I saw her, she looked so beautiful."
The couple released two doves immediately after the ceremony and at the reception they enjoyed a banquet of leek and potato soup, roast turkey dinner and profiteroles, courtesy of the Moat House.
In the evening they had 150 people at the reception with a toastmaster, disco and fireworks as part of the prize, and they will have the memories for a lifetime thanks to the professional filming and photography throughout the day.
Tonia said: "I was very nervous on the morning but we giggled throughout the service. Mark was pulling faces at me.
"Everything was perfect. One of our ushers, Clint Cartlidge, sang for our first dance.
" and In the evening we were all dancing like zombies to Thriller. It's one of those moments I'll remember for the rest of my life."
Tonia's 15-year-old son Thomas Ward had the honour of giving her away on the day and two of her best friends, Joanne Phillips and Charlotte Walker, acted as maid of honour and bridesmaid.
The newlyweds jetted off to a week-long honeymoon in Tunisia at a five-star beach hotel.
Their dream of starting a family together is the next goal and they are hoping to begin IVF treatment next month.