Most couples imagine celebrating their wedding day surrounded by their loved ones.

And this was almost the case for David and Ali Ferris, who were married last week at Chewton Place in Keynsham, but one very important guest was missing.

Mr Ferris's mother Bernadette suffered a fall and broke her hip just a week before their big day and she was devastated that she was going to miss out.

However, the couple were determined to include the 86-year-old in their wedding in some way, so they left their reception early to pay her a visit at the Royal United Hospital.

The new Mrs Ferris told staff at the hospital: "If Bernadette can't come to our wedding, we'll take the wedding to her."

Bridesmaid Philippa Kindon, who is also the bride's sister, said the most important thing about the couple's wedding was that all their friends and family were there.

She said: "David and Ali had considered getting married in a remote beach setting abroad but decided that having their friends and family with them on their special day was more important so opted for a local venue.

"Unfortunately, Bernadette Ferris fell and broke her hip just a week before the wedding so was unable to leave the hospital to attend the ceremony and celebrations.

"Following the wedding breakfast Ali and David decided to leave their guests enjoying the sunshine at Chewton Place for a short time whilst they were whisked away by Wayne Prankard, their photographer, to pay the surprise visit to Bernadette, who had no idea they were coming to see her."

The couple met when Ali was studying for her teaching degrees at Bath Spa University in 2007.

Mr Ferris, who works for Royal Mail, was born and has lived in Bath all his life, while his wife, originally Ali Ferns, who is a teacher at Clutton Primary School, grew up in Keynsham.

Helping them celebrate their big day were the bride's parents Jim Ferns, from Keynsham, and Rosemary Harrison, from Wales, although her stepfather Jim Harrison sadly died in January.

They also had two bridesmaids, five-year-old Alice Dennien and six-year-old Ava Thompson, a page boy Samuel Kindon, two, while Mr Ferris's ten-year-old son DJ stepped up to the role of best man.

The couple, who are now on their honeymoon, would like to thank their photographer Wayne Prankard, from Prankard Photography, for taking them to the hospital to include Mrs Ferris in their special day.