Weddings are always special occasions. They celebrate love, life, and all the possibilities that come with them — surrounded by the people who mean the most to us.
For Rebecca Shellard-Renna, her wedding day also became a heartfelt tribute to her best friend, actress Lucy Bowen, who died of lung cancer at just 32 years old.
A Friendship Full of Laughter
“I met Lucy when I was 11 at comprehensive school,” Rebecca recalled. “She was in my form, and I knew straightaway we’d be good friends. We were very different but had the same sense of humour — and Lucy was one of the funniest people you could ever meet.”
Rebecca remembers endless moments of laughter until they were both in tears. “Lucy was larger than life — a total drama queen (so it was no surprise she became an actress!), incredibly thoughtful, and so much fun to be around.”
A Shocking Diagnosis
It came as a complete shock when Lucy was diagnosed with lung cancer at just 32. Doctors discovered that the tumour had already spread, leaving little they could do.
“She lived for just three months after her diagnosis,” Rebecca said. “It was devastating.”
Honouring Lucy on Her Wedding Day
Lucy had been so excited for Rebecca’s wedding. “I never saw the point of traditional wedding favours like sweets,” Rebecca explained. “So, I decided to have Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation wedding favours instead — a fitting tribute to Lucy.”
As Rebecca laid a favour on each guest’s place setting, she took a moment to think of her friend. “On the day, I felt like Lucy was with me — through the reading, the ceremony, and even during the prosecco toasts, which were her favourite!”
A Lasting Memory
Guests loved the favours. “Many had never seen wedding favours in aid of charity before and thought it was a lovely way to remember someone,” said Rebecca.
Seeing friends wear their pin badges brought her comfort. “When someone close to you dies, you want to keep their memory alive. The badges are a little reminder that people remember Lucy and how amazing she was.”
One of Rebecca’s friends even sends her photos of the pin from places around the world — a small but powerful gesture of remembrance.
A Tribute That Makes a Difference
“You’re giving people a memento of your day while helping to fund lung cancer research,” Rebecca said. “It’s a no-brainer!”
Through her wedding, Rebecca found a beautiful way to honour her best friend’s life — keeping Lucy’s memory alive while supporting a cause that could one day save others.