IT was suppose to have been a dream white wedding.The rings were ready, the bride and groom both arrived on time and the cake had reached the reception in one piece.

IT was suppose to have been a dream white wedding.

The rings were ready, the bride and groom both arrived on time and the cake had reached the reception in one piece.

But for one unlucky couple, due to get married in Stowmarket, what was meant to be their perfect day turned from a dream into a nightmare.

Neil and Paula Jolly (neé Leggett) were ready to get married at the town's registry office at noon last Saturday but a mix up with the booking led to the whole thing being called off.

Mrs Jolly said: "It was horrendous – the sort of thing you imagine happens to other people.

"I'd always dreamed of a white wedding and even though we didn't have a lot of money to spend we had things just how we wanted them.

"Maybe in 40 years or so we will renew our vows and do it all properly but this was certainly a wedding day that won't be forgotten."

After waiting in the heat for three hours the wedding party gave up and went on to a hotel where a two-hour-old meal was waiting for them.

The couple exchanged date-inscribed wedding rings at the reception and officially got married in plain clothes the following day.

Unfortunately most of the guests, including the bride's mother, could not make it and the only witnesses were Mr Jolly's parents.

The couple, from Norfolk, had chosen the Stowmarket setting because of its picturesque gardens.

The big day had already been altered once when the registry office asked if they would like to swap times. The Jollys were assured they did not need written confirmation of the change.

Mrs Jolly said: "We were truly gutted but by the time we said our vows I think we appreciated them all the more."

A spokesman for Suffolk County Council said: "We are extremely sorry for the misunderstanding between the register office and Mr and Mrs Jolly, who were due to marry on Saturday 7 August.

"Fortunately we were able to arrange a special ceremony for the following day, and we were able to present them with a gift of wine and flowers.

"The council has now received an official complaint from Mr and Mrs Jolly, and will be investigating what went wrong to see if any lessons can be learnt for the future."