After six months of feeling unwell, Mark was diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in May 2019, with liver and  heart complications. Putting on a brave face and remaining positive, Mark kept an open mind and fought with everything he had to bounce
back from this diagnosis. With friends and family rallying behind him, Mark started his emotionally and physically draining journey to battle this disease.

Spread by a Facebook post by marriage celebrant Katrina Farr, media outlets such as Today Tonight began sharing Simmon and Mark’s courageous story. With the outpour of support for the couple, Ben Law and Rachel Altman of iDoWeddings Photography also shared the story and assisted in gathering other businesses together who wanted to help out in any way possible. From florists to venues, the aptly titled ‘Dream Team’ of vendors rallied behind Simmon and Mark to give them both the nuptials they had been dreaming of.

Mark now has a job in patient services at the local hospital, wanting to give back by sitting down and talking with patients, offering them support during their prognosis and treatment. While they can’t afford a honeymoon, Simmon and Mark are determined to take each day as it comes, together, as husband and wife.

118 guests attended the special day including the team involved; it was a way for the vendors to be a part of Simmon and Mark’s special day, just as the couple wanted. Simmon and Mark held a special thank you speech during their reception, taking time out to sing praise to the wonderful people who came together in their time of need to give them the perfect wedding. The highlight of the day for Simmon was having their nearest and dearest there to celebrate their commitment, as well as joining the families and having a sense of happiness at the end of a long and tumultuous battle.