text: An engaged couple have joined forces and lost a combined weight of 11st in time for their big day after the bride-to-be was bullied about her size. Holly Beard, 24, and her fiance Steve Hancock, 27, from Adderley Green, Staffordshire, tipped the scales at over 41st between them when they set a date for their big day in January last year. But Holly decided to slim down when she was teased at the opticians where she worked after her boss brought in a cake as a treat. Scroll down for video . Holly Beard and Steve Hancock reached a combined weight of 41st after moving in together . Before she could tuck in, a member of the public shouted at her: 'She doesn't need a cake - look at the size of her.' Holly, who has since left her job, was left mortified and crying in the toilet after being humiliated in front of her colleagues last April. After vowing to lose weight for her wedding day this May, she joined Weight Watchers in June last year. She has since gone from 17st 8lb to a slim 11st 9lb in just nine months. Steve also began to shed the pounds after joining Holly on her diet plan and switching his meals to align with hers. The warehouse manager lost 5st and going from 23st 7lb to a healthier 18st 7lb since June last year. But after Holly received cruel taunts in her workplace the couple went on a joint diet losing 11st between them . Holly, who lives with Steve says that before she started her diet she would eat without thinking. 'I was getting comfortable with Steve after we moved in together and I didn't realise how to look after myself properly. 'It was just eating too much of everything, too many potatoes, too much lasagne and a pudding after even when I wasn't hungry.' But after her embarrassing incident at work Holly knew that something had to be done. 'In April last year the boss had brought a cake for everybody as a treat that day. 'He gave us the cake and there was a patient standing next to me who shouted: "She doesn't need a cake - look at the size of her." 'It was awful. I cried in the toilets and cried the rest of the day. When other people lost weight, I would find myself defending my own weight. It was a horrible way to live. 'When I went to have a wedding dress fitted in June last year it was a size 22. I decided to join Weight Watchers that month and haven't looked back since.' The dramatic weight loss has also seen Holly slim down from a size 22 to a ten to 12 which has proven to be a nightmare for her wedding dress fitter. Holly went from 17st 8lb to a slim 11st 9lb in just nine months after joining Weight Watchers . 'I've had to have my dress fitted every two months because I am down to a size ten to 12 now. 'She has only just started making the dress and I haven't even seen it. I am giving the poor woman a heart attack.' Holly says that her new size will come as a shock when she gets married, especially guests who live far away. 'I lived in Scotland for half my life so there are so many people who haven't seen me this small. It will be a shock for them when I walk down the aisle.' As well as her health improving, Holly says that her confidence has seen a complete turnaround. 'I would never go out without make-up before. Now I don't even care what I wear because I know I look good on the outside, and I also feel good in myself. 'I'm always going to be curvy, but if Kim Kardashian can be curvy and slim, so can I. 'The best thing has been taking the journey with my future husband. Steve has done so well and I don't want people to forget that we've been through it together.' Steve says that he would never have reached his new weight without the help of his fiancé. He said: 'I'm a typical man and I can't cook. Steve has gone from 23st 7lb to a healthier 18st 7lb since June last year . 'Holly cooks all my food and I couldn't have lost the weight without her. She is a different woman now. 'It's crazy how much we've both changed, and I'm so glad we did it before the wedding. It feels like a fresh start.' The couple halved the size of their portions and ate from smaller plates in order to lose weight for their big day. They also cut out carb-heavy lunches and dinners, instead eating healthier salads and well-balanced meals. The pair now plan to tie the knot in front of 40 friends and family at the Three Horseshoes Inn in Blackshaw Moor, Staffordshire on May 21. Holly's mother Pat visits her daughter - who now works as a weight loss consultant for Weight Watchers - every three months and has been stunned by the dramatic weight loss. She said: 'The support Holly and Steve have given each other has been incredible. The wedding gave them both something great to aim for. I'm just so proud. 'They have both been very enthusiastic and such an inspiration. They never looked back. I always thought my daughter looked nice, even before. 'Now she looks absolutely fantastic.'
target: Holly Beard and Steve Hancock tipped the scales at 41st between them .
  After being humiliated at work Holly joined Weight Watchers .
  Steve switched his eating habits too and the couple lost a combined 11st .