Saying ‘I do’ at 92

From neighbours to newlyweds

Getting married in your 80s and 90s might not be what many people expect. Neither is choosing a care home as your venue.

But for Jimmy and Andrea, doing things their own way is exactly what makes their story so special.

Andrea, 85, lives at Charlton Grange Care Home in Shepperton with her care supported by Surrey County Council. Jimmy, 92, still lives independently but visits her every single day. Rather than seeing these later years as a time to slow down, the couple have embraced them.

Choosing to celebrate their love and commitment, they were joined by their family, friends and an entire care home community.

Love with no limits

Andrea and Jimmy are proof that love, companionship and life’s big moments don’t have an age limit. Choosing to host the celebration at Charlton Grange made it even more meaningful.

Instead of travelling between venues, Andrea walked down an aisle created within the home she now calls her home, accompanied by her son. Flower girls from Jimmy’s family followed behind, while fellow residents and staff looked on, turning a familiar setting into a place of celebration and joy.

The ceremony took place in the home’s courtyard, with catering prepared by the in-house kitchen team. The ceremony was led by someone they already knew well – Sam, a care worker at the home who is also a pastor and regularly leads services for residents.

For Jimmy and Andrea, these personal touches were what made the day feel truly theirs.

“He always knows what I need to make me happy”

The couple first met around ten years ago while living near each other in supported accommodation, and their relationship has continued to grow ever since. Even after Andrea moved into Charlton Grange earlier this year with support from Surrey County Council, Jimmy’s daily visits have remained constant. A reflection of their enduring bond.

Their affection is clear; Jimmy says his new love is “a bundle of joy, always a very happy person”. Meanwhile Andrea adds “He is very kind and he looks after me very well. He always knows what I need to make me happy”.

Their wedding is not just a personal milestone, but a powerful reminder that life continues to be full of possibility at every stage. And as the celebrations at Charlton Grange proved, sometimes the most unexpected settings can become the perfect place to start a new chapter.

If you are thinking of getting married in a more conventional manner and setting than Andrea and Jimmy, check out Surrey Ceremonies.