A bride who discovered her fiancé had cheated on her was able to celebrate her £35,000 wedding without the groom.

Lindsay Slater, 31, from Mansfield, Nottingham, claims she discovered her 36-year-old fiancé and partner of 12 years had been sleeping with someone else.

She claimed that her partner left the family home after their confrontation and that she expected the upcoming wedding to be called off.

Not to give up, however, she decided to turn her big day into a party, which she called a “celebration of freedom.”

Lindsay shared the news with all day guests and posted a Facebook status to inform her evening guests.

Lindsay Slater, 31, from Mansfield, Nottingham, who discovered her fiancé had cheated on her, performed the £35,000 wedding – without a groom

About 60 to 70 guests came to the reception, which consisted of a meal, speeches and a party with a DJ and bongo players.

Lindsay even flew to a resort in Crete, Greece, for her honeymoon on August 20 with her friend Melissa, 31, a mortgage broker.

Although she’s not ready to move on yet, Lindsay said her solo wedding gave her a sense of “strength and empowerment.”

Lindsay, a lawyer, said: “I didn’t know how I was going to survive. I was desperate – it was too late to cancel the wedding plans. All the money had been spent.”

“But a big part of me thought, ‘I’m free’ – it’s the beginning of a better era. I’m glad I did it – I really enjoyed the day.

“I was so surprised at how supportive everyone was – it was so encouraging. I was surrounded by so much love – (it) really reminded me that I didn’t need him.”

Lindsay and her ex got engaged in early 2020 after dating on and off since 2012.

She says the two had their ups and downs as a couple, but were excited about their wedding day.

She decided to turn the rest of her big day into a party – a “celebration of freedom.”

Lindsay even flew away on August 20 for her honeymoon – spending seven days at a resort in Crete, Greece, with her friend Melissa, 31, a mortgage broker.

After four years of planning and £35,000 spent on the ceremony, food, photographers and party, the date was set for Saturday 17 August.

But before the wedding, Lindsay claims that her partner confessed to her infidelity when she confronted him.

After initially wanting to celebrate the big day despite the alleged infidelity, she says she came to her senses.

Her ex moved back in with his mother – while Lindsay called the owners of the Car Bank Wedding Park in Mansfield to cancel the ceremony and the violinist.

However, she changed her mind and decided to go through with the day. With the help of her sister Beth (28), who works in the victim support organization, she renamed it her “Freedom Day”.

She said: “We spent all the money – £35,000, including the honeymoon.”

“I decided to spend the day with close friends and family – instead of sitting at home and crying.”

The guests found out about it after Lindsay sent them a private message about the situation and also posted a Facebook status.

Lindsay’s friend, 33-year-old medical assistant Rachel, stayed overnight with her on August 16.

The next morning, the two had their hair and makeup done together – and then drove to the wedding venue, Lindsay in her wedding dress and Beth in her bridesmaid dress.

She said: “Just before I walked out the door, I said to Rachel, ‘You have to calm me down.’ She gave me encouragement.”

The day began with welcome drinks for about 40 day guests – and a bartender who prepared Bellinis and Pornstar Martinis for the guests.

Everyone was dressed in their original wedding outfits – the bridesmaids still wore their dresses and Lindsay still wore her £1,200 short wedding dress from Charlotte Elizabeth Bridal.

Afterwards, the guests went to the dining room where they enjoyed fish cakes, chicken dishes and chocolate cake for dessert.

People drank and spent time with alpacas outside until 8 p.m., after which it was off to the reception hosted by a DJ.

Lindsay said, “Beth was my maid of honor. She put up a sign that said, ‘And she lived happily ever after…'”

“My uncle baked me a Victoria sponge cake with green icing and roses.

“We moved on to the party – and the DJ played empowerment anthems nonstop.”

“We had ‘Strong Enough’ by Cher, ‘It’s Not Right, but it’s OK’ by Whitney Houston and ‘Survivor’ by Destiny’s Child.”

“I even read a speech that Beth had written for me. It was a bit emotional – and the alcohol didn’t help either.”

“I thanked my family and friends for being there. I said I didn’t know how I was going to survive this ordeal. But when I saw all those understanding faces, I felt a little better.”

Lindsay’s ex-partner declined to comment but admitted to being unfaithful.