A couple celebrating 60 years of marriage were given a day to remember at Surrey Heights Dementia Care Centre, where team members transformed the garden into a beautiful wedding setting for a deeply personal diamond anniversary blessing.
Vicky and Alfredo de Gallegos marked their 60th wedding anniversary with a Catholic blessing at Surrey Heights Dementia Care Centre in Wormley, near Godalming, part of CHD Living.
Vicky moved into Surrey Heights in November 2024 and is living with advanced dementia. Her husband, Alfredo, visits every day, spending time with her and offering the comfort, familiarity and companionship that have been such an important part of their life together.
Earlier this year, Vicky’s health became very frail, and her family feared the worst. By May, however, she had begun to regain strength, getting out of bed and spending more time in the home’s communal areas.
Planning a blessing that reflected a lifetime together
Knowing that Vicky and Alfredo’s 60th wedding anniversary was approaching, Wellbeing Coordinator Karen wanted to create something that would truly reflect their marriage, family and memories. She met with Vicky and her family several times to understand what mattered most, including their Catholic faith, Vicky’s Spanish heritage and her favourite colour, yellow.
On Saturday 1 August, the Surrey Heights garden was transformed with yellow and cream flowers, rose garlands, organza chair bows, a white aisle, confetti, wedding favours and photographs from Vicky and Alfredo’s wedding day in 1966. Father Patrick Okafor, from the Catholic Parish of Haslemere, Hindhead and Chiddingfold, led the blessing in the garden gazebo.
Vicky was helped to get ready by team members Danniella, Deepa and Sachu, wearing a cream dress chosen by her daughter, Viviana. Danniella styled her hair in the salon, while Viviana brought her mother’s pearls, favourite perfume and lipstick for the occasion.
Ten members of Vicky’s family attended, including her brother. Her grandson, Lorenzo, played music on the keyboard before Vicky was supported by Viviana down the aisle, with Alfredo waiting proudly for his bride.
An emotional moment for family and team
During the blessing, the couple’s wedding bands were blessed and placed on their fingers. Alfredo then sang to Vicky, who tried to sing along with him. It was an emotional moment for family members and the Surrey Heights team, with many moved to tears.
After the ceremony, the family spent the afternoon together in the garden, enjoying prosecco, a Spanish-inspired buffet in honour of Vicky’s heritage, and a wedding-style cake decorated with yellow butterflies.
Vicky’s family said: “The staff looked like they were doing the event not as a put-on show, but with genuine feelings of love and affection, as if they were family.”
Alfredo added: “My wife Vicky and I want to thank the management and staff of Surrey Heights for helping us celebrate our 60th wedding anniversary in a style befitting celebrities.
“Our daughter, friends and family mentioned the warmth and kindness in which our special day was conducted. It made a memorable and unforgettable day.”
Viviana, Vicky and Alfredo’s daughter, also thanked the team, saying the family “simply couldn’t have wished for a more beautiful or perfect day”.
She said: “Every single detail had been thought through with such care. The gazebo and garden were beautifully decorated with gorgeous yellow and white flowers, confetti, wedding favours, a guest book and photographs from my parents’ wedding day. It felt incredibly personal and so very special.
“What made the day truly special was the genuine warmth, kindness and care shown by every member of staff. You can truly feel that they do everything from the heart.”
The family gave special thanks to Karen, describing her as their “organiser-in-chief” and praising her care, creativity and attention to detail.
Knowing each resident as a whole person
Surrey Heights Dementia Care Centre said the celebration reflected the importance of knowing each resident as a whole person, with their own relationships, faith, culture, history and family life, echoing wider efforts across the sector to focus on delivering a good lived experience.
The day allowed Vicky and Alfredo to celebrate their marriage in a familiar and safe environment, much like the diamond wedding anniversary celebrations enjoyed by other care home residents, surrounded by the people who matter most to them.
