A BRIDE swapped her engagement photos for a heartwarming shoot with her dad who was dying of prostate cancer.
The woman, called Becky, asked her photographer if she could take pictures of her with her father Tim, who was unlikely to live to see the wedding.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Bonnie Turner – who was booked in to capture Becky and fiancé Matt’s engagement – revealed how she was asked by the woman if she could do a shoot that weekend with her and her dad instead.
“Met this darling woman end of Spring last year,” the Virginia-based photographer wrote.
“She got engaged and booked an engagement session with me. Never settled on exact date due to all the rain we had been getting.
“We were constantly in touch because we connected so well.”
Bonnie then revealed how she had received an unexpected message from Becky.
“My dad has been fighting Prostate cancer and his body is now at the point where it can’t handle more treatment,” the bride wrote in an email to her.
“We found out yesterday that he starts hospice this week. We’d really love to use the deposit Matt gave you to do a family photo session.
“Matt and I will worry about our photos later, because this is more pressing with time.
“We haven’t had professional family photos taken since my brother and I were little, and this would mean so much to us.
“Of course this is a very difficult and dark time, but I know how you feel about love and capturing it so beautifully and meaningfully.”
Becky added: “Dad is getting weaker by the day and unfortunately we have to do this as soon as possible.
“I wanted to see if you were able and willing to come and take photos at my parent’s house in Woodbridge on this really last minute request.
“We are throwing this plan together really fast because we don’t know how long we have before he won’t be able to.
“I know this is a huge ask and no worries if you can’t do it. It’s not an ideal location, but I know you can make anything look gorgeous. (Except maybe not my ugly crying that I will try to get out before hand.)”
Alongside the story, Bonnie shared a series of stunning images of Becky with her father from the emotional shoot.
The pair, dressed in wedding attire, can be seen dancing, smiling and crying in the garden of the home where she grew up.
It took place five months before Tim passed away on March 29, 2019.
In the post from last month, the photographer added: “My heart is heavy today as I have been informed of his passing. He fought so hard for a very long time.
“Photographs and memories are EVERYTHING when they are all you have left.”
It has been ‘liked’ thousands of times on Instagram.
One person commented: “Oh Bonnie this beautiful. There is no memory better than a memory we wish to capture and hold onto forever.”
Another wrote: “I can’t stop crying. My dad is fighting an aggressive cancer and it’s so tough.”
A third shared: “I am a wreck! This is heartbreaking and warms my heart at the same time. She will NEVER forget these moments.”
You can donate to Becky’s memorial Go Fund Me Page for her father here.
Last month, we told you how a couple widowed in their 20s found love with each other 18 months later.
We also revealed how a widowed bride is appealing for £1.5k for her 28-year-old husband’s funeral following his death four days after their “dream” wedding.
And a mum, 42, who began dating eight weeks after her husband died has been shunned by family and friends.
