‘Win a Wedding’ Competition
Meet our Winners – Craig and Kelly have won the wedding!
Craig Critchley and Kelly Baylis are getting ready to walk down the aisle in style on Valentine’s Day – after being chosen as winners of the Win a Wedding competition run by the City Council and Go CV.
There were dozens of entries, and judges had a tough time reading through all the incredible stories before finally selecting Craig and Kelly as winners. Both of them had sent in applications (as a surprise to each other) in the hope of being selected for the great prize, which is worth over £5,000.
In submitting her entry, Kelly told how the couple had first met as 13-year-olds 37 years ago. She said: “We’re both 50 this year and never got the chance to get married. Craig actually proposed to me on February 14th many years ago, but then life got turned upside down. We started saving for our wedding and we were trying to start a family, but things didn’t quite go as we planned.
“At 25 weeks our little girl was born weighing only 1lb 6oz and we named her Harriet. She was tiny and so sick. She fought so hard and had numerous surgeries and other procedures. It was the hardest time of our lives but we never gave up hope. Craig was amazing. He was my rock. Finally, Harriet began to improve and after months we got to bring her home. We want to marry so much and to have our beautiful 12-year-old daughter there as our flower girl on our engagement anniversary would be so special.”
In Craig’s entry, he said: “Our journey has been so tough, filled with heartache, sadness and pure elation. We were told Harriet would not make it, but she defied all odds and is our little miracle. So to complete our dream and to get married when we are 50 and on the anniversary of my proposal would be something very special indeed.”
On hearing they had won the prize, they said: “We couldn’t believe it, the best surprise you could ever imagine. It means the world to us that our love story will come full circle, a wedding on Valentine’s Day, the same day we got engaged! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
Councillor Kamran Caan, Cabinet Member, Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing, said: “It really is a fantastic prize, and I am delighted for Kelly and Craig to have their dream come true after everything they have been through. Thank you to everyone who entered – there were some very moving and inspiring stories – and congratulations to our winning couple. I know they will have a fantastic day at some truly wonderful venues, and with the help of some very talented local businesses.”
You can follow the journey to their Wedding Day here.
The amazing package worth over £5,000 that includes:
- A marriage ceremony* in the Black Prince Room at Cheylesmore Manor House (Coventry Registry Office) including Legal Notice of Intention Fees, live streaming, keepsake confetti and ceremony music.
- Wedding reception venue at Drapers’ Hall including buffet, dining set-up and service staff for up to 50 guests.
- Brody Swain Wedding Toastmaster across both venues: Cheylesmore Manor for the ceremony and Drapers’ Hall for the reception.
- Isabel’s Flower Studio for bridal bouquet and one for a bridesmaid, the groom’s buttonhole and a ceremony table arrangement.
- Overnight accommodation in a Junior Suite at Telegraph Hotel with breakfast.
- UR Rosa Photography, 3 hours photography, covering get ready photos (if required), ceremony, family photos and private couple shoot.
- Electric Joy Moments Content Creator capturing precious moments: 6 hours coverage starting from getting ready through to drinks reception. Videos/reels compatible for sharing across social media. Gallery delivered within 24-48 hours.
Cheylesmore Manor – a stunning 14th Century manor house
The remnants of a medieval royal palace in Coventry city centre, the gatehouse of Cheylesmore Manor is a magnificent timber building and plays a key role in Coventry’s rich and important heritage.
The manor is believed to have been built for the Earl of Arundel in 1237. By 1320 it had passed to Queen Isabella, wife of Edward II, along with the lavish Cheylesmore Park that surrounded it. Her grandson Edward, the Black Prince, took possession of it after her.
Previously the only unfortified royal palace outside of London, Cheylesmore Manor now provides beautiful, stunning ceremony venue.
Winner of several Bride book and ceremonial awards and regularly highly rated on public rating sites, The Manor House houses three beautiful ceremony rooms which offer an ideal option for you to reflect the size and ambience for your own ceremony. The rooms are The Queen Isabella Room, The Black Prince Room and the Library Room.
At Cheylesmore Manor, we will do everything we can to make your special day run as smoothly as possible. We aim to make your day very special, leaving you to enjoy a worry-free occasion with your family, friends and each other.
Drapers’ Hall Coventry
Drapers’ Hall is a beautifully restored Grade II* listed venue located in Coventry city centre. Originally built in 1832, it now offers a stunning setting for modern weddings while preserving its historic charm.
As part of this Win a Wedding package, your reception will take place in Drapers’ Hall’s Tearoom – a spacious, elegant room that can accommodate up to 100 seated guests. The package includes exclusive use of both the Tearoom and the Reading Room, with the hot buffet served in the latter.
The Hall provides in-house catering led by expert chefs, offering a buffet for this package and full banqueting options for larger weddings. The private bar features a curated selection of wines, spirits, and cocktails, with a minimum spend of £500.
Fully accessible with lift access and dressing room facilities, Drapers’ Hall ensures a smooth and stylish experience for you and your guests, all just a short walk from your ceremony at Cheylesmore Manor.
Stay at the Telegraph Hotel which exudes the style and features of the 1950s which will ensure your stay is a unique experience. Truly one of the best rooms in the house, Compositors, our Junior Suite, with a spacious lounge area, king-size bed and freestanding feature bath in the room, as well as an en suite shower room is ideal for your wedding night stay.
Alongside his love of broadcasting, Brody Swain has hosted and compèred at prestigious festivals, black tie awards, civic events, charity fundraisers and beautiful weddings, that have taken him all over the UK, whilst always bringing his trademark humour, integrity and authenticity to any event he is involved in.
Brody is a professionally trained Toastmaster and is proud to be a member of the Circle of Toastmasters.
Based in Balsall Common, West Midlands, Isabel’s Flower Studio (formally Daisy Chains in Warwick) has over 20 years of floristry experience..
I offer a creative and friendly approach for all your floral design needs from my home studio in the heart of Balsall Common village.
Ursula is a Wedding and Family Photographer covering Nuneaton and Coventry with true passion creating and capturing memories, genuine emotions, and your story in an authentic, undisturbed way.
An Alternative and non-traditional approach to content creation.
Rachael here (she/her) and I’m all about colour and creativity. You won’t see any black and white images or traditional content here. If you’re looking for a unique approach to capturing your epic day, then Electric Joy Moments is here for it.
Entries will be judged by a panel and must be received by 23:59 on Sunday 15 June 2025. Winners will be notified by the end of June 2025 and must consent to publicity of their special day.
Read a full copy of the Terms and Conditions of the competition.