On March 19th, 2016, Lyndsey and James, two devoted Star Wars fans, exchanged vows at The Electric Cinema, followed by a lively reception at Fazeley Studios in Birmingham. To make their special day truly unforgettable, they infused it with an alternative twist, shunning the ordinary in favor of a galaxy far, far away. A bridal party attired as Storm Troopers and Chewie, complete with a lightsaber exit from the ceremony, set the tone for an extraordinary celebration. The festivities continued to thrill, with R2D2-inspired cake, comic book paper flower buttonholes, Star Wars soundtracks, and impressive posters dotting the landscape. It was clear that Lyndsey and James’ loved ones had a phenomenal time. Lyndsey, resplendent in her bejeweled House of Fraser gown, complemented her outfit with Star Wars nail art and a fur shrug – a meaningful nod to her late grandmother. Her radiant beauty left little doubt as to why this was an unforgettable day. The couple’s joy is palpable, making it easy to relive their memorable experience.
Star Wars Cinema Wedding
The Proposal
The Vision
As our second date came to a close, James casually dropped a bombshell: if he ever got married, he’d want a Star Wars-themed celebration. My initial reaction was less than thrilled – I had no desire to walk down the aisle anytime soon. Yet, as we parted ways, something about his enthusiasm piqued my interest. Little did I know that this unexpected revelation would serve as a catalyst for my own journey towards embracing the idea of marriage.
Budget
With a combination of creativity, resourcefulness, and a pinch of last-minute magic, our savvy mum managed to secure impressive discounts. Her trusty glue gun, coupled with the power of friendship and strategic favor-trading, allowed her to negotiate fantastic deals that exceeded our expectations.
The Venue
At the heart of our film-making journey was a duo of dedicated professionals who played instrumental roles in bringing our vision to life. Sam, the operations manager at The Electric Cinema on Station Street in Birmingham, proved to be an exemplary host. His helpful nature and can-do attitude made all the difference in making our experience seamless. Similarly, Abbi, the events manager at Fazeley Studios in Digbeth, was a beacon of reassurance when we were feeling overwhelmed. Her expertise and calming demeanor helped us stay focused on our goals, despite any last-minute hiccups.
The Outfits
The House of Fraser dress, designed by Adrianna Papple, was a standout piece. But it was the fur shrug that held the most sentimental value – it belonged to my late grandmother, who wore it on her wedding day in the 1940s. The headband and matching belt were thrifted finds from Primark, while the Dr Martens boots and Adidas customised Star Wars shelltoes arrived at my doorstep after an online order. As for my nails, a dear friend – a skilled beautician – worked her magic to create a Star Wars-inspired design that tied everything together. I must admit, I was intimidated by the idea of visiting a bridal shop. The thought of donning a traditional white wedding dress filled me with anxiety. While I did find a lovely boutique and a stunning gown for £2250, it still didn’t sit well with me. Instead, I took matters into my own hands and ordered 10 dresses online to try on at home. A quick return policy allowed me to send back the ones that didn’t quite fit the bill. As for his attire, we left things until the last minute before a trip to the Hugo Boss store in Cheshire Oaks retail park sorted him out.
The Planning Process
As the wedding day approached, a sense of anxiety began to creep in. Rather than taking control of the situation, I opted for a more relaxed approach, leaving many tasks until the last minute and then relying on others to help me out. Little did my partner James know, I had been secretly planning and rehearsing various aspects of the wedding behind his back. In fact, I even set up a makeshift rehearsal space in our kitchen with the help of my friend Jon and our young son. Together, we went over the intricacies of the bridal procession, perfecting every step and detail to ensure a seamless execution on the big day.
Readings & Music
As we embarked on the ceremonial journey, the iconic Star Wars soundtrack set the tone. The opening titles transported us to the ceremony room, where our guests were treated to a unique reading experience. Rather than traditional readings, we opted for something more engaging – and our Registrar proved to be an unexpected master of ceremonies. He presented me with a quote from Yoda, titled ‘Size Doesn’t Matter’, which he kindly offered to read aloud to James. What struck us as particularly thoughtful was the Registrar’s initiative in creating this special moment. His passion and dedication shone through as he delivered the quote in his best Yoda impression, infusing the ceremony with a sense of fun and warmth.
Beautiful Bridesmaids
I was determined to think outside the box when it came to choosing my bridesmaids. Traditional matching dresses just didn’t seem like me or my unique group of friends. In fact, some of my closest companions are men, so I decided to get creative with my choices. Instead of traditional attendants, I opted for a squad of Storm Troopers and even included Chewbacca in the mix! While one of the Storm Troopers was female, she definitely held her own alongside the guys, and her presence added an extra layer of fun to the celebration.
The Flowers
The notion that wedding bouquets are inherently dull is a myth I’m eager to debunk. One creative aspect I truly enjoyed was the concept of comic book-inspired paper flowers for the grooms’ buttonholes, which were expertly crafted by a friend. Initially, I had envisioned wielding a lightsaber adorned with paper comic flowers throughout the celebration, but ultimately decided against it to maintain freedom and flexibility.
The Cake
Imagine a show-stopping dessert that’s out of this world – literally! My best friend crafted a majestic cake for our gathering, featuring three distinct layers. The crowning glory was a rich, decadent chocolate sponge on top, followed by a fruity cake in the middle, and finally, the base layer consisted of treacle and Bakewell tart goodness. Given the sheer weight of the top layer, she had to get creative with two cake stands, cleverly concealing them with R2D2’s iconic legs – what a brilliant solution!
Your Photographer
Rob Farrell’s website immediately grabbed our attention, and after a meeting with him, we were convinced that he was the right fit for our project. His extensive experience photographing at prominent locations like the cinema and Fazeley only reinforced his suitability for the job.
The Honeymoon
Perched atop a picturesque hillside, just beyond the charming borders of Dumfries and Galloway, lies a secluded lodge boasting a serene hot tub experience. The excitement from the recent nuptials still lingered in our minds, leaving us with an insomnia-fueled week as we struggled to catch those elusive Z’s.
Details & Decor
My mum took charge of the décor at Fazeley, showcasing her creativity by transforming inexpensive vases into stunning pieces with ribbons and sparkles from local markets. She went above and beyond to create a Star Wars-themed sweets table, even ordering life-size cardboard cutouts of C3PO and R2D2 from eBay. A talented friend who runs a graphic design business took care of the wedding posters, which were later displayed on the big screen at the cinema as our ceremony backdrop. A montage of classic Star Wars film clips played during our signing of the register, setting the tone for an unforgettable celebration. To enhance the atmosphere, we hired a string quartet to perform at our drinks reception, who delighted us with renditions of the Star Wars theme and Cantina band songs. For evening entertainment, we brought in a local soul band that had everyone dancing the night away. In lieu of traditional wedding favors, we chose to support our chosen charities, Cancer Research UK and The Retired Greyhound Trust, by giving out charity pins. Although our two retired greyhounds would have loved dressing up as AT-AT walkers, they’re now enjoying their golden years in a more laid-back pace.
Memorable Moments
As we shared our desire for a Star Wars-themed wedding at the cinema with family, we encountered some initial resistance. Undeterred, I organized a surprise entrance for James, complete with Storm Troopers, Chewie, and my little boy donning his Jedi cloak. This clever move spared him any potential backlash, and I was told his face lit up when he saw the procession making its way down the aisle. Little did he know, I had also arranged for my dad to make a dramatic appearance, clad in a black Emperor’s cloak and wielding a red lightsaber.As we exchanged our vows, a special touch awaited us – a 6’7-inch Chewbacca, no less! While James was expecting to see me walk down the aisle, he was left stunned by this intergalactic surprise. Meanwhile, I entered with my dad, resplendent in his regal attire and shining lightsaber.To top it all off, we had a light saber send-off planned, which added an extra layer of excitement for our guests. Unbeknownst to James, little helpers discreetly distributed lightsabers among the crowd while we signed the register. When we finally walked down the aisle together, we emerged beneath a stunning archway of red and blue lightsabers, making for a truly unforgettable moment.
Advice For Other Couples
In a bold move, we defied family and friend expectations by creating a truly unique and unforgettable wedding experience. Our loved ones may have initially envisioned a traditional ceremony, but we insisted on making it our own. And what an incredible outcome! The day revolved around us, celebrating the love and connection that defines our relationship – no one else’s expectations mattered.I’d be remiss not to acknowledge the talented individuals who helped bring this vision to life. Special thanks go out to the photographer from Alternative Images, makeup artist Natalie Roberts at Violet Sky Beauty (who also crafted my Star Wars-inspired nails), and poster designer Natalie Roberts at [email protected] for their contributions.The soundtrack was provided by Soul Band Junction 2 and Nero String Quartet’s enchanting melodies. We were thrilled to host our celebration at The Electric Cinema and Fazeley Studios, both of which offered one-of-a-kind settings. To top it all off, we gave back to the community through Cancer Research UK and Retired Greyhound Trust.I’m deeply grateful to Lyndsey and James for trusting us with their special day and allowing us to share in their joy – thank you again, you two! And as always, thanks for having me, Lou.