A ‘guardian angel’ rescued the wedding of a couple after their big day was left in tatters.
Mim Seager-Abbott and Chris Abbott booked their reception at Arlingtons in Ipswich back in February 2018, but shortly before their wedding, they were devastated to hear it had closed and had new owners.
But, despite being in the middle of a huge refurbishment project, the new owner Peter Gwizdala stepped in with a solution.
Mrs Seager-Abbott, 48, said: “We wanted our reception at Arlingtons because my dad used to be a ballroom dancer and he danced with Olga Wilmot who ran a ballroom there until 1991.
“My mum and dad aren’t alive now, so it was for sentimental reasons that we wanted to have our wedding there and we were absolutely devastated to find out that our dream day was not going to go to plan.”
The support worker from Ipswich added: “The first time we knew that something was wrong was when my sister-in-law put something on Facebook to say that Arlingtons was closing.
“No-one had contacted us to let us know what was happening. Thankfully, despite having no obligation to us, the new owner stepped in – it was a bit of a guardian angel moment.”
New owner Peter Gwizdala was in the middle of a major refurbishment including central heating, electrics and plumbing.
But the plight of the couple pulled on his heart strings.
“They were very upset,” he said. “And we really wanted to be able to help them – not just to have their special day in our venue but to love every single minute of it. A wedding day should be something to remember for a lifetime and for all the right reasons.”
Peter and his renovation team worked tirelessly to get the new venue ready in time.
Mrs Seager-Abbott said: “Arlingtons organised an absolutely fantastic reception for us.
“Peter was wonderful, kept everything within our budget and really saved the day.
“He had people working through the night to get the floors and painting done. It was a truly incredible effort.”
Mrs Seager-Abbott and her husband, 46, who is a scaffolder, got married at Ipswich Register Office on 2 October last year.
The couple, who have five children between them, were transported to Arlingtons by The Suffolk Rickshaw Company while they enjoyed a glass of champagne.
Mrs Seager-Abbott added: “It was fantastic as complete strangers were shouting out ‘congratulations’.
“When we arrived at Arlingtons, Peter welcomed us with more champagne.”
The couple and their 48 guests enjoyed a three-course meal and music during the reception which Mr Gwizdala arranged.
“Everyone was so grateful to Peter and his wonderful team for pulling it off the way he did,” she said.
“I would urge all bride and grooms to book their receptions at Arlingtons. Peter really does know his stuff and the building itself and the staff are just out of this world.
“We couldn’t fault a single thing.”
The Arlingtons building boasts a legendary status in the town – it housed Ipswich’s original Victorian museum, played a vital part in the Suffragette’s campaign to get women the vote and from the 1950s to early-90s achieved fame as the Arlingtons Dance Hall and Ballroom.
Olga Wilmot took over The Arlington Ballroom in Museum Street around 1948 and she ran her business there until it moved to Bond Street in 1991.
Visit the Arlingtons website or call 01473 230293 for more information.
