I’m delighted to share with you the enchanting wedding of Mike and Nia, which took place on September 15th, 2018, at Bodnant Welsh Food in Conwy, Wales. The autumnal atmosphere perfectly complemented the rich, dark tones that dominated the decor, including burgundy and plum hues in the lush greenery-adorned florals and forest green accents in the attire. It was a truly breathtaking sight! The addition of a vintage VW Beetle wedding car not only tied in with the color palette but also added to the overall charm.The decorations were kept deliberately understated yet deeply personal, with many elements crafted by family and friends coming together to bring their dream day to life. This collaborative effort is something that I find truly endearing. In the barns, a combination of fairy lights and greenery created a whimsical ambiance, while brass accents added a touch of sophistication to the overall aesthetic. The result was a seamless blend of rustic charm and luxurious flair.Mike and Nia looked absolutely radiant on their special day, with Nia stunning in her open-back gown with veil by Wtoo and Mike exuding elegance in his grey wool herringbone suit. It was truly a sight to behold.I’d like to extend my gratitude to Elaine Williams Photography for sharing these captivating moments with us today. Their photographs perfectly capture the emotional depth of this unforgettable day.
The Proposal
It’s hard to forget the magical night in New York City on December 2nd, 2016, when Mike popped the question. As someone who had always known that Mike wanted to buy a house before getting married, I wasn’t expecting a proposal at all, especially since we hadn’t reached that milestone yet. But Mike had other plans. After arriving in the city and wanting to capture the iconic Rockefeller Centre Christmas tree, I took a stroll around the area to find the perfect spot for a photo. That’s when I turned around to see Mike standing there, holding a ring box with an uncertain expression on his face. A few minutes of joyful tears later, I said yes!
The Vision
As we planned our special day, I didn’t want a theme that would constrain our creativity. Instead, I wanted our wedding to be an authentic reflection of Mike and me as individuals. We sought a venue that exuded relaxation, plenty of delicious food and drinks, and opportunities to incorporate our shared passions – rum and gin, decadent feasts, the warm glow of brass and gold accents, moody color palettes, and great music. Our goal was to create an atmosphere that felt true to ourselves without sacrificing sustainability.
The Planning Process
As soon as we got engaged, we started making plans for our special day. However, we also took the plunge and purchased a new home just weeks later. Little did we know, this house would turn out to be a major renovation project that would keep us busy for months to come. With two big projects on our plate, Mike suggested putting the wedding planning on hold for a bit. But I was eager to get started, so we ultimately decided on a September 2018 date – nearly two years after the initial proposal. In hindsight, even that timeline wasn’t quite enough!
Budget
When planning our wedding, we were struck by the wide range of costs mentioned online – from £20,000 to £100,000. This disparity made it challenging to set a realistic budget. After some deliberation, we settled on a rough estimate of around £10,000, which ultimately proved to be a reasonable benchmark. While we may have slightly exceeded our target, the final figure was still within our expectations.
The Venue
We exchanged vows at Bodnant Welsh Food in Conwy, a picturesque setting that stole our hearts from the moment we set foot on the property. Initially, we had envisioned a rustic, DIY wedding with an empty barn or tipi as the backdrop, but when we saw Bodnant, we knew it was the perfect compromise between our vision and reality. The venue’s original beams, wooden floors, and breathtaking views of both estuary and mountains left us in awe, convincing us that this was the ideal spot to say ‘I do’.
The Readings & Music
As we curated our special day, I found myself navigating a delicate balance between romance and subtlety, poetry and brevity. It was crucial for us to incorporate bilingual elements, given our shared Welsh-English heritage. We aimed to strike the perfect harmony between the two languages by featuring one Welsh reading and one English reading.The soundtrack played a significant role in setting the tone. I walked down the aisle to Ludovico Einaudi’s enchanting ‘I Giorni.’ During the signing ceremony, my friend Elan serenaded us with Elvis Presley’s timeless ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ – her boyfriend Dafydd accompanied her on guitar. The atmosphere was electric, and that song now has a profound emotional resonance for me.As we departed, we opted for a more lighthearted vibe with the Beach Boys’ classic ‘God Only Knows,’ paying tribute to Mike’s dad, who cherished their music.Our literary selections were equally thoughtful. We featured a Welsh reading by my friend Llio, ‘Addewid – Guto Dafydd,’ and an English reading by Mike’s sister Teresa, ‘Love is Friendship Caught Fire – Laura Hendricks.’The evening culminated in our first dance to a soulful acoustic rendition of Biffy Clyro’s ‘Mountains.’
Groomsmen
For the wedding party, Mike made an excellent choice in selecting his little brother Steve as Best Man. This decision also conveniently left us with two brothers to serve as our esteemed ushers – my brother Alun and Mike’s older brother Graham. Meanwhile, Gwion, Mike’s nephew, did a fantastic job as our ring bearer. Steve, the Best Man, opted for a sleek suit from Asos, while the ushers chose their own trousers and waistcoats from Marks & Spencer and Next. Rather than opting for matching attire, we decided to go with a general colour theme of grey and let each member choose their preferred style within that scope. To add a touch of uniformity, they all wore their own white shirts and forest green ties, which were purchased online.
Bridesmaids
I opted for a smaller, more intimate bridal party, with just one bridesmaid – my sister Sara. This decision was driven by a desire to keep things simple and understated. We chose to emphasize natural tones, which is why we selected forest green for both Sara’s dress and the men’s ties. This earthy color palette allowed us to focus on the beauty of the occasion without adding unnecessary embellishments.Sara, my trusty bridesmaid, wore the stunning ‘Mykonos’ dress in forest green by Rewritten, paired with shoes from New Look and hair pins from Little Nell. The flower girls, Mike’s nieces, looked adorable in dresses from John Lewis, complemented by little white sandals from Next.
The Flowers
Rebecca from Ivy Pip & Rose outdid herself in crafting our stunning bouquets, buttonholes, and flower crowns for the wedding party. The coincidence of my bouquet matching Mike’s VW Beetle was a delightful surprise that added to the celebration’s charm. I had shared my preferences with Rebecca – a desire for lush greenery, deep plums, and an abundance of Proteas and Dahlias – and she expertly wove these elements together in my arrangement.To stay within our budget, we took on a creative challenge by crafting our own foliage garlands for the tables and beams. A big thank you to Kathy, my mother-in-law, and our friends who lent a helping hand. We also repurposed old gin and rum bottles collected over the years to serve as unique vessels for hydrangeas and foliage we had foraged from around our homes. While this DIY project was enjoyable, it’s essential not to underestimate the time and resources required to create a lush atmosphere. In hindsight, I realize we could have used even more flowers and foliage to achieve the full look we envisioned.
Your Outfits & Accessories
As I navigated the world of wedding dresses, I found myself drawn to the Lenora by Wtoo Watters from The Silk Loft in Felinheli. After trying on around 30 dresses across six bridal shops, I knew this one was special. What initially caught my eye was its unique combination of sleeves and an open back, allowing me to showcase my personal style while still feeling covered up. Katie at The Silk Loft suggested adding a small train, which added a touch of elegance. Paired with a long veil from the same shop, I felt like a true princess.My ‘day shoes’ were from Miss Selfridge, while my ‘party shoes’ were the show-stopping leopard print sandals from Topshop – my absolute favorite pair! For jewelry, I chose earrings by Sarah Brown Jewellery and a beautiful headpiece by Naturae Design. To complete my look, I wore my grandmother’s old bangle, passed down to me through family heirlooms.Meanwhile, Mike had his own vision for the perfect suit. He opted for a three-piece grey herringbone wool ensemble from Walker Slater in London, which was expertly tailored to fit him like a glove. To add some personality to the outfit, he chose arm cuffs from John Lewis and cufflinks that bore his late father’s initials – a heartfelt tribute. His boots were courtesy of Redwing London, completing his stylish yet understated look.
Beauty
I had the pleasure of working with two incredibly talented individuals – Fflur Hogan, who expertly crafted my makeup look, and Kate Parry, my go-to hairdresser. When they asked for my input, I simply told them I wanted to ‘look like myself on a really good day’ – a feat that’s often easier said than done. As someone who doesn’t typically wear much makeup or feel particularly put together, I was thrilled with the effort Fflur and Kate put into making me look my absolute best without overdoing it. Their dedication to their craft resulted in a flawless finish that perfectly captured my natural beauty.
Your Photographer
As I continued on my search for the perfect photographer, hours turned into days. Scouring websites and portfolios, I eventually stumbled upon Elaine – the documentary photography expert I had been searching for. Her unique style, characterized by rich colors and evocative storytelling, immediately resonated with me. What struck a chord was her ability to capture the nuanced emotions of our special day, from the joyous laughter to the heartfelt tears. My initial concerns about not having a videographer melted away as I immersed myself in Elaine’s stunning photos, convinced that this decision would bring no regrets.
The Details & Décor
We took a hands-on approach to creating our wedding stationery and décor, drawing inspiration from our creative family. Mike’s niece Mia lent her artistic skills to design our custom invitations, which we printed ourselves and finished with a personalized wax seal for the envelopes. The guestbook was beautifully screen-printed by Lucy, the Best Man’s girlfriend.For our decorations, we scavenged brass candlesticks from charity shops and car boot sales, pairing them with grey candles ordered online. Each place setting featured a sprig of rosemary, while we hand-stamped each name on a piece of brass for guests to take as a keepsake. We also had a special ‘favour’ in store – miniature bottles of Bombay Sapphire gin and Kraken Rum, which proved extremely popular.Our tables were adorned with lush foliage garlands and flower-filled gin and rum bottles, adding to the festive atmosphere. We transformed an Ikea terrarium into a unique card holder using spray paint, while a peg board kept our order of events in check. The table plan was created from scratch using blackboard paint and a paint pen.One of my favorite DIY projects was our vintage-style ‘face in the hole’ photo booth/welcoming board. This charming touch has yielded some of my favorite memories from the day. And, of course, we couldn’t forget Mike’s beloved family heirloom – his grandmother Dilys’ 1966 Volkswagen Beetle, lovingly restored after her passing. Having it as part of our celebration made the day even more special.
The Cake
Lynwen from ‘Aderyn Melys’ is responsible for crafting our mouthwatering wedding cake. What initially seemed like an unnecessary indulgence became a must-have after I savored one of her delectable cupcakes at a food fair. The final product was a stunning two-tier masterpiece, with the bottom layer showcasing rich, plain chocolate and the top tier combining the decadence of chocolate and peanut butter. The crowning glory was a velvety caramel drizzle that added an extra layer of sophistication to the overall design. And, I must confess, I’ve stashed some away in the freezer for those rare moments when only a slice (or two) will do.
The Honeymoon
After exchanging our vows, we took a short, sweet honeymoon getaway to Italy’s stunning Amalfi Coast. The experience was pure bliss – we spent most days lounging, feasting, and recharging. I highly recommend taking a break from the whirlwind of wedding preparations to indulge in some well-deserved relaxation. It truly helped us unwind and feel rejuvenated.
As we look ahead to future travels, our next big adventure is already on the horizon – a longer trip to Canada planned for next year. However, before that, we have a few more boxes to check off at home: finishing up some renovations at our house.
Memorable Moments
As we look back on that unforgettable day, it’s hard to pinpoint a single highlight. However, there were a few moments that truly stood out to me and Mike – the ones that made this wedding an absolute dream come true.
Firstly, seeing each other for the first time as husband and wife was simply magical. The rush of emotions, the tears of joy… it was a truly special feeling.
Having our closest friends and family gathered together in one place to celebrate with us was also an incredible blessing. It felt like we were surrounded by love and support every step of the way.
And then there was the silent disco – what a unique and unforgettable experience! The music, the laughter, the joy… it was all just so much fun.
But if I’m being completely honest, my absolute favourite moment from that day was dancing with Mike to the final song of the night. ‘Good Riddance’ by Greenday played as we swayed together, surrounded by our loved ones – it was truly a moment we’ll always treasure.
Advice For Other Couples
When planning their special day, couples should focus on making it truly representative of themselves as a pair. For us, that meant embracing our unique perspectives and sticking to our vision, even when faced with differing opinions. The end result was a celebration that everyone thoroughly enjoyed. It’s essential to let go of the minor imperfections and instead focus on what really matters – the union you’re celebrating. Remember, your wedding is not about creating the perfect social media post or pleasing others; it’s about honoring your love and commitment to one another. By prioritizing this core aspect, you’ll be able to relax and truly enjoy the party that marks the beginning of your new life together.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
What a stunning celebration it was! Behind the scenes, we had the pleasure of working with some incredibly talented individuals who helped bring this fairytale wedding to life. From the photographer, Elaine Williams Photography, capturing every moment beautifully, to the bride’s dress and veil, crafted by The Silk Loft, each element contributed to an unforgettable day. The headpiece, designed by Naturae Design, added a touch of elegance, while Sarah Brown Jewellery created breathtaking ring and earring sets for the happy couple. Meanwhile, Walker Slater tailored the groom’s suit to perfection, complemented perfectly by his Red Wing London shoes. The bridesmaid dress was a stunning choice, courtesy of Bridal Fashion, as part of their Wedding Suppliers membership. As the day unfolded, Fflur Hogan Makeup ensured the bride looked radiant, Kate Parry worked her magic on her locks, and Aderyn Melys crafted an exquisite cake. Flowers by Ivy Pip and Rose added a whimsical touch to the ceremony and reception spaces. To Mike and Nia, we’re grateful for trusting us with your special day – thank you for sharing it with us!