THERE is nothing like a wedding day to motivate someone to shed a few pounds, it seems.

Four Hampshire residents have dropped the combined weight of 36 wedding dresses, weighing a total of more than 18 stone.

Whether they were the bride, groom or even the best man, the prospect of walking down the aisle motivated them to join the weight loss programme, Slimming World.

Founded more than three decades ago, Slimming World (SW) holds more than 16,000 groups weekly across the UK.

The dieting group focuses on food optimisation which encourages members to choose what they eat, when they eat and how often they eat – whilst making healthy choices.

When Richard was asked to be best man he was delighted, but he knew if he was going to stand in front of a group of guests on closest friends big day, he would need to lose the extra weight he had been carrying for years.

Within the first week at the Bursledon SW group, Richard shed nine pounds.

“I had always told myself, if I was in the position where someone wanted me to be their best man, I would want to look the best I could in my life,” he said.

The losses kept on coming, week after week only ever gaining once, after the stag do.

Richard has now lost six stone, however he regularly visits the group to ensure he stays on track.

“I feel like I have a new lease of life,” said the father of two, who is training for the Brighton Marathon.

  • Louise Bond, Bursledon, 30

At her heaviest, Louise weighed more than 16 stone and she had always felt like she was the “fat friend”.

After her partner Greg proposed, she was determined to fit into her dream wedding dress.

Louise managed to lose almost five stone in ten months and reached her target weight in time for her first wedding dress fitting.

“I will never forget on my wedding day family saying how amazing I looked and if it wasn’t for the wedding dress they wouldn’t have recognised me. I felt like a new person,” she said.

Louise enjoyed her journey so much she has decided to become a slimming world consultant.

Sleeping had become a massive issue for both Matthew and his fiancée Kelly before they had embarked on their weight loss journey, Matthews’s extra weight had started affecting his breathing during the night often waking them both with his loud snoring. With their wedding drawing closer and with sleep becoming sparse Kelly suggested her husband joined her at SW.

Just 37 weeks later, Matt had lost 4 1/2 stone, Kelly had lost 2 1/2 stone and the wedding plans were in full swing! They were both looking forward to walking down the aisle a fitter and healthier couple.

Matt still goes to group every week as he has made some amazing, lifelong friends who have nominated him for the Slimming World, Mr Sleek awards.

  • Jenna Whorton, Inner Avenue, 30

Jenna had recently got engaged when she started her weight-loss journey and the thought of getting in a Christmas party dress let alone a wedding dress filled her with dread.

She had never heard of Slimming World or knew anyone that did it but after she saw a poster in a pub she decided to give it a go.

Initially, she was scared of cooking from scratch. The visual merchandiser, had spent years using store-brought food. But the plan worked and by the time her wedding came around, she had lost three stone.

  • Find out more information, including your nearest Slimming World group, at slimmingworld.co.uk.