Former belly dancer Natalie Borg, 36, and her fiancé Richard McMurray, 37, have been working overtime to cover their wedding but launched a fundraiser asking guests to donate cash towards their £4,500 big day because they're unable to afford it.
Cash-strapped Natalie Borg and Richard McMurray got engaged last January and have so far raised £690 of their £4,500 total at the time writing for their big day at the end of April.
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Despite the former dancer and her husband-to-be working overtime and even selling off some of their belongings, with months to go they are "falling short of their final bills" and launched the appeal three weeks ago in a bid to scrape the cash together.
"We've done the math and are still short of (and running out of time!!!) to cover our outgoings for our planned wedding on Saturday 27th April 2019," the couple announced on their GoFundMe page.
They continued: "Despite throwing all our wages at the wedding costs, selling our belongings and taking as many extra shifts at work as are available we are still falling short of our final bills.
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"As we can't put off the wedding for another few months - (everything is booked) we are asking in lieu of any wedding gifts if you are able to please contribute anything to our costs for the day that would be amazing.
"Final payments we are are still trying to cover are mainly for the venue, photographer, cake and dress alterations."
"We have no honeymoon budget and not worrying about this just want to be able to cover our bills for the day so it can go ahead.
According to the page they've already managed to pay for wedding rings, registry and favours - as well as getting so cash together towards the venue, dress alterations, hair and makeup.
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Critics of the engaged couple have accused the hardworking pair of "begging" on social media.
With one saying: "Have a wedding yous [sic] can afford and stop duh. And stop begging."
Another thought they shouldn't have planned it in the first place: "If they can't afford it simple, don't get married."
But the bride-to-be defended herself. Speaking to The Sun she explained: "We're not money grabbing people, we're people that have worked really hard for our big day.
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"I think if people had done a media campaign to pay for their wedding I would think that's pretty cheeky, but if it's to pay for the day instead of presents, it's fine.
"I shouldn't need to hide anything, I'm just a normal person and not a money grabber."
But she did admit that the £4,500 target set was ambitious.
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"I put £4,500 on the page, that's how much extra we needed at the time, but I never expected to raise that amount.
"We just wanted a few extra hundred pounds from our close friends and family.
"I've got friends coming up from London and they've asked what we want and I said 'nothing', we just need a bit of help with the costs. We're not forcing people to contribute to our wedding."
Want to help Natalie and Richard out to afford their big day? Visit their GoFundMe page to donate.
Featured Image Credit: GOFUNDME/NATALIE BORGTopics: Life News, Life, Real Life