Just a few weeks after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, a woman spoke of her emotional marriage to her “partner in crime”.
Amanda Bullock married the love of her life and arrived in style in a black 1964 Chrysler New Yorker.
The current Mrs. Bullock, 39, got out and amazed the guests in her red wedding dress with a big smile.
It was clear that the bride and groom were looking forward to the big day, and not even a six to three month diagnosis could stand in the way of their happiness.
Escorted through the altar by her son Krisstoffer Buchan, dozens of family members and friends watched the bride – a bouquet of rainbow roses in hand – as she made her way to see Daniel Bullock, 29.
Amanda was overwhelmed with emotion when her son gave her to her future husband as her father had died in December.
“It was pretty emotional because my father obviously died,” she explained.
“My son who took me to the altar and he told me this was his job and he would hand me over to Dan.”
The wedding, held last Friday at the Palm Court Hotel, was made possible by a number of generous donations from businesses and individuals.
People across the Northeast jumped in to help after Amanda’s stepsister Melissa Mowatt appealed to the kindness of strangers by sharing her story.
‘I’m just Amanda, I’m nothing special – but then I looked around and thought, actually it’s me.’
Amanda and her guests
Celebrating their love and commitment in front of friends and family was “beyond” anything Amanda had envisioned for her dream wedding.
She said, “I was just blown away by the whole wedding – how it was decorated, the cake, the flowers, and all of my family around me.
“Everyone says how special I am and how much I am loved and I just see myself.
“I’m Amanda from Torry, I’m nothing special, but when I see everyone there and look around and think, ‘Actually, it’s me.’
“I’m really loved and cared for and it was just completely different.”
Cancer-free for only 17 days
Amanda had celebrated the news that she had beaten triple negative breast cancer when a sudden attack last month turned her life upside down again.
The Dyce-based nurse was first diagnosed with the rare form of breast cancer in October 2020, the news of which came as a shock to her and her family.
At the time, they were looking after their father, David Rae, who was diagnosed with mesothelioma at the age of 60.
After six grueling sessions of chemotherapy and surgery that removed part of her breast, Amanda’s family celebrated the news that she was cancer free.
On this occasion, she decided to bring her 40th birthday party forward from January 2022 to this month.
But things took a different turn when Amanda had a seizure just days after she was told she was cancer free.
With a forecast of only three to six months to live, her escalated birthday party turned into wedding planning.
“He’s my rock, my best buddy, my soulmate”
Undeterred, Melissa and Amanda began planning a wedding in just a few weeks.
More than 20 companies and individuals answered the call and Amanda and Daniel celebrated their special day in style.
And it was worth it – because the newlyweds were all beaming on the big day.
Looking back on the wedding, Amanda said, “It went so quickly, it was absolutely amazing.
“I was just excited to marry Dan – he was my rock, my accomplice, my soulmate, my best buddy.
“There was no nerve, no nervousness. I was so excited to marry Dan.
“And when I actually saw him, my heart began to flutter.”
“There was so much love in the room”
“It’s like a roller coaster ride, there was so much love in the room – I mean, you can even see in the photos how much Dan just loves me,” she said.
“Dan makes me feel like the only girl in the room.
“That’s how he looks at me and protects me – he makes me feel like the only woman in the world.”
During the ceremony, the official read texts from Rainbow Connections by the US folk comedy duo Garfunkel and Oates.
The song contained lines like: “Rainbows are improbable, beautiful and rare – but so are you and so is the love we share.”
It paired it with the theme of the rainbows that could be seen around the venue and even in the denim jacket Amanda wore after saying “I do”.
“Mrs. Bullock” was written on the back of the garment and the wedding date was sewn in rainbow colors directly below.
Amanda said the rainbow-style wedding meant “a little hope”.
Amanda’s sneakers glowed in rainbow lights.
Amanda added, “I was so grateful for everyone who showed up. All my family, friends and everyone who fought for us.
“I’m just so grateful for the love in the room and the wedding location as they decorated the room.
“It was way beyond what I had imagined my dream wedding to be. I was blown away how they went the extra mile for me. “
Love and support were overwhelming
Amanda thanked everyone who made the wedding possible.
“I want to thank every single person who has accompanied us on this journey – it means so, so much to us,” she said.
“I know this journey is far from over.
“We don’t know how long it will take, we don’t know how long we’re going to make memories, we don’t have a timescale.
“But it just shows how much love there is, how much everyone cares, how much everyone has fought for us – it’s overwhelming.
“We really appreciate each and every one of them.
Amanda with husband Daniel, left, and son Krisstoffer, right.
“My little community got together and they built it up for me.
“And Mel was just like a super woman. She ran her business, raised her boy, renovated her house, moved – and she just did everything for us. “
The couple are now preparing for their mini moon this weekend in Piperdam, near Dundee.
Amanda and Dan would like to thank the following companies and people once again for making their wedding possible:
- Aberdeen Nursing Agency to pay for the first drinks for guests.
- Alba bagpipes.
- Audstar, for granting a 20% discount.
- Big Bow Company, for the door arch.
- Bonita Events, for the big balloon arch.
- Candy Corner, for candy table, chair bows and centerpieces.
- Charlene Meier from Ohhh Crumbs, for providing the wedding cake and cupcakes.
- Diamond Wedding Cars, for providing the car for the bride and groomsman.
- Enhance Cosmetics, for the facial treatment on the evening before the wedding.
- FM by Laura Emslie, for giving away a bottle of Amanda’s favorite perfume.
- GMT Cars, for the provision of the second wedding car.
- Lala events, for the backdrop.
- Little Lovies Little Parties for the children’s corner.
- Live Love Bake, for cookies for the kids.
- Palm Court for providing a room for Amanda and Daniel and another room for their son Krisstoffer and their friend Kelsea as well as the free room rental.
- Stationery Crafts to provide a table planner, place names and menus.
- Party supplies, for the selfie mailbox.
- Photographer Sandy Ritchie
- Shambles25.com, for Amanda’s ring.
- Show equip, for lighting
- Tall & Small Entertainment, for the 4ft letters.
- The Aberdeen Wedding Shop for providing lanterns for decoration.
- The Melt Room, for providing melt wax favors.
