Birmingham Live
·Jul 2026
Bride in Wheelchair Left Stranded at Altar After Wedding Venue Moved Her Ramp
Wheelchair user Jenni Pettican says she was left stranded before reaching the altar at her May 16 wedding at Newland Hall near Chelmsford after staff failed to return a ramp they had moved. Guests and members of the wedding party had to assemble it, leaving her humiliated and concerned about the safety risks. Pettican also alleges that accessibility problems began during planning, including a dispute over step-free access and a proposed higher deposit linked to keeping doors unlocked. She complained to the venue, seeking an apology and assurances that it would improve, but says the venue failed to accept responsibility. Newland Hall's new owners, who took over after the wedding, said they were not involved in the incident but would arrange an accessibility assessment and provide disability-awareness and customer-service training.