Couple's entire wedding paid for by strangers after groom is diagnosed with cancer

Laura and Steven Monks, both 35 and from Hyde, Greater Manchester, tied the knot in a hotel ceremony - all paid for by the kindness of strangers. The couple, who were friends for ten years before they got together, put their wedding plans on hold and started saving up to buy a house, but last October the pair were left dumbfounded when Steven, pictured bottom right with his groomsmen, was diagnosed with stage three bowel and liver cancer. 

The kitchen fitter had an operation to remove his bowel and started chemotherapy straightaway, but in April this year doctors told the couple that Steven's condition is terminal. After hearing the news, they rushed to get married - and applied to a charity called Gift of a Wedding for help. The charity asked businesses and members of the public to donate everything they needed for their special day - including a wedding cake, name cards, a professional singer, a string quartet, a ring cushion, a toastmaster, a photobooth, a wedding car and even Laura's dress.