NHS heroes get hitched in style thanks to Apex Hotels, London

Newlywed NHS couple, Michael and Ji Shankleton (nee Park), became the second set of NHS Heroes to receive an all expenses paid wedding of their dreams from Apex Hotels and Operation Recuperation, when they celebrated their nuptials in Apex Temple Court Hotel in London on Saturday, July 16th 2022.

Michael and Ji have both worked for the NHS for more than 10 years, most recently in London, with Michael at St. Mary's Hospital and Ji at Guy's Hospital. The pair, who met when they were training to be psychologists, worked tirelessly for the NHS during the pandemic and were one of five lucky couples chosen to win their dream wedding at an Apex Hotel in the UK this year.

Michael had been planning to 'pop the question' since a trip to New York in January 2020, but the arrival of the pandemic at that time meant their focus shifted to caring for other people. After the first lock down, in autumn 2020, Michael thought he had spied another opportunity only to have the moment taken over by the much bigger and extremely happy news of the impending arrival of a baby. Proposal plans went on the back burner again until Ji started maternity leave and a day trip to Tunbridge Wells where the couple met provided the perfect time and location for the engagement to become official.

"We were so thrilled to have been chosen as one of the winners by Apex Hotels," said Michael. "Apex Temple Court Hotel is gorgeous, some of the bedrooms have balconies and there is a fantastic courtyard, which meant we could benefit from the beautiful summer weather in London. "With so many disruptions to our plans it took much longer for us to even become engaged than intended and I'm sure Ji was beginning to wonder if we would ever make it down the aisle! Thanks to Apex Hotels for putting everything in place that we could have asked for, we were able to enjoy looking forward to our special day – at the same time as getting to know our wonderful new member of the family, our baby boy Ezra, who arrived in August last year."

Ji, who originally comes from South Korea, said: "Having our wedding in London meant that my family could come to be with us, and we could also celebrate with our colleagues who are working in the NHS in London. It made everything so special and wonderful for us. We will cherish the memories of our special day forever and we can't thank Apex Hotels enough for choosing us and making this happen."

To ensure the day had everything a fantastic wedding celebration needs, Apex Hotels laid on a 3-course Wedding breakfast, drinks package, evening buffet, flowers, room hire and upgraded wedding night accommodation. In addition, some of Apex Hotel's trusted suppliers also offered other wedding essentials. The Powderpuff Girls provided hair and make-up, Urban Flower Farmer took care of the gorgeous blooms, Lindsay Pemberton ensured there was a stunning cake for the occasion, Suited and Booted DJs kept the party going, and Jason Lloyd-Evans ensured the whole event was captured with beautiful photography.

This wedding was even more special for the team at Apex Temple Court Hotel because it was the first ever wedding to be held at the hotel and the first time a marquee had been used in the Courtyard. Arrival drinks were served in The Amicable Society of Lazy Ballerinas, the hotel's gorgeous marble wine bar, which provided a very welcome cool space on a beautiful hot and sunny day, then guests were escorted into the marquee, which was open-sided and looked onto the stunning Chambers Courtyard for a delicious three-course meal. A brief return to Lazy Ballerinas for refreshments, while the meal was cleared away, and then guests were ready to hit the dance floor back in the marquee.