TWO childhood sweethearts have found the perfect wedding venue just weeks before the big day thanks to a Chronicle appeal.
Megan Lambert and Andrew Spoore will tie the knot at Margaretting's Furze Hill hotel on June 1, after their original venue, Great Baddow Barn, cancelled after the business changed hands.
When the hotel's owners read about the couple's plight in the Chronicle, they offered to rescue their wedding at a discount price, because most of the couple's budget had already been spent.
"The minute I walked in I just loved it," said payroll supervisor Megan after she toured the venue with her mother Dawn.
"From then on, all weekend, I had my fingers crossed that Furze Hill could offer us something.
"I was too scared to open my e-mails and when it came, I waded through the writing just to find the price. What they can do for us is just amazing."
The husband and wife-to be spent £100 on a deposit for the old venue, two years ago, and nearly £300 on invitations, while their overall budget had been reduced from £8,000 to nearly £6,000.
But Heritage Leisure director Jason Bartella, who also runs Pontlands Park, offered a discount on the wedding package price of £72 per-person.
The two will marry at All Saints Church in Writtle, but will host 55 guests for a wedding breakfast and 80 for their reception party at the hotel in Ivy Barns Lane.
"I haven't chosen it just because I had to – it's really nice," said Megan, mother to four-month-old Bobby.
"The function room has everything. It's got great trees growing in the inside which go all the way into the garden – which is beautiful.
"In the summer they pick grapes off the trees."
Megan's' landscape gardener fiancé, 25, put the planning entirely in the hands of his wife-to-be.
"When I got the confirmation e-mail he could tell how happy I was," added Megan of Park View Crescent, Chelmsford.
"No one likes to hear of someone getting let down," said Heritage Leisure PA Vicki Adley-Webb, 35.
"It's such short notice but we have the room available so it's a win-win situation."
Heritage Leisure is also offering discounts for other couples hit by the Great Baddow Barn debacle.
Earlier last month, a friend of Megan's revealed how her party at Great Baddow Barn in Galleywood Road has been cancelled, after the tenants Great Baddow Barn Ltd left in early April.
It then transpired then Megan's wedding to Andrew had also been cancelled.
The venue, formerly Seabrights Barn, is owned by Spirit Leased pubs, but currently has no tenant.
When the Chronicle spoke to the interim manager he said: "I don't divulge anything to anybody."
Megan added: "I'm really grateful to the Chronicle because I was completely stuck.
"But thankfully you were able to help right when I needed it."
