The Trevor Hall wedding of Shaunagh and Ben in Wales was a truly unforgettable celebration. Every detail, from the one-of-a-kind geodome reception to the elegant sage green tones, was a testament to their unique style. What stands out most is the warmth and joy that filled every moment of their special day. With personalized touches, lively entertainment, and a focus on exceptional food and wine, it’s clear that Shaunagh and Ben spared no expense in making sure their guests had an unforgettable time. The pre- and post-wedding events only added to the excitement. Shaunagh and Ben looked radiant in their chosen attire, and the gorgeous florals were the perfect finishing touch. A huge thank you goes out to Fox and Bear Photography for sharing these breathtaking images with us.
Trevor Hall Wedding
The Proposal
We first crossed paths on Tinder back in 2014, and five years later, Ben orchestrated a surprise trip to Copenhagen as our anniversary celebration. The mastermind had secretly coordinated time off with my manager, and I was completely oblivious to the destination until we boarded the flight. His meticulous planning left me none the wiser, and I didn’t for one moment suspect he had any further surprises up his sleeve.
Fast forward to day three of our trip, when we ventured to the top of Christiansborg Palace. As I took in the breathtaking views of the city, Ben got down on one knee, ring in hand – an exquisite vintage emerald gem that left me stunned. While he probably anticipated tears of joy, my initial reaction was sheer shock, with a string of incredulous ‘really?!’s tumbling out as I struggled to process the moment.
The Vision
From the onset, our vision for the wedding was clear: we craved an intimate celebration that reflected our personalities and stood out from the norm. For me, exceptional culinary experiences and wine pairings took center stage, while Ben’s enthusiasm for lively music and entertainment ensured an unforgettable atmosphere. Given our loved ones are spread far and wide across the country and globe, we sought to create a condensed yet festive experience where everyone could unwind and bond as one big, happy family.
Budget
Initially, our wedding budget was set at £25,000, but after postponing due to COVID-19, we found ourselves exceeding that amount by £10,000. We had to dig deeper into our pockets than initially planned, ultimately spending £35,000 on the big day. Fortunately, our understanding parents stepped in and provided financial support to help us cover the additional expenses, ensuring that our special day turned out exactly as we had envisioned.
The Ceremony & Music
We initially had our hearts set on exchanging vows at Trevor Church, conveniently located just a short stroll away from Trevor Hall. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s restrictions, we found ourselves facing an unexpected challenge. The church was too small to accommodate our guests, prompting us to seek alternative arrangements. Thankfully, this led us to St Collen’s church in Llangollen, which offered ample space for our celebration. In hindsight, this change of plans turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as it allowed us to incorporate a choir and the sweet sound of ringing bells as we departed the church – a truly unforgettable experience. The decision was met with initial disappointment, but ultimately, it proved to be a serendipitous twist. Live music was an absolute must for Ben, so we spared no expense in securing top-notch talent for our special day. We welcomed a talented acoustic singer to set the tone during champagne and canapés, followed by two exceptional bands that kept our guests on their feet throughout the evening. Our first dance as a married couple was a poignant moment, with ‘Come and Get Your Love’ by Redbone serving as the soundtrack – a song you might recognize from the Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack. The nostalgia and joy were palpable as we swayed to the music, surrounded by our loved ones.
Your Outfits
I had envisioned a bohemian-inspired outfit, trying on roughly 50 dresses before my mom suggested I opt for something more timeless. When I slipped into Idony by Ronald Joyce, I knew I’d found ‘the one.’ The dress served as the foundation for the rest of my ensemble, which revolved around my stunning Jimmy Choo shoes – a thoughtful gift from my mom and bridesmaid Ellen. As we prepared to dance the night away, I changed into a bespoke gown designed specifically for me by Matthew O’Brien, allowing me to showcase both my dress and shoes during our romantic first dance. Meanwhile, both mothers, as well as my bridesmaids, were treated to custom-made dresses and hats from the talented Matthew, who truly outdid himself. In contrast, Ben had a clear vision for his attire, seeking a suit that would blend seamlessly with our countryside venue’s rustic charm. After trying on a few different options, he settled on a light blue tweed-look that proved surprisingly well-suited to our scorching hot summer wedding day. The groomsmen rented their suits from Peter Posh in Shrewsbury, where the staff were incredibly accommodating and helped them get dressed to impress. Finally, my bridesmaids looked stunning in sage green dresses from Along Came Eve in Chester – a lovely touch that added to the overall aesthetic of our special day.
The Venue
As we scouted various venues, one stood out instantly – Trevor Hall in Llangollen. It wasn’t just the property that caught our attention, but also Louise’s exceptional hospitality and ability to let her couples fully customize their special day. We were sold! For our reception, we opted for a geodome situated behind the venue, offering a breathtaking panorama of the surrounding valley. The ‘wow’ moment was palpable as guests transitioned from the lawn to the dome, taking in the stunning view for the first time.
The Styling & Decor
As we worked together to bring our vision to life, every aspect of the styling and décor had a personal touch. From baking cakes to crafting signage, our loved ones were involved in every step of the process. The result was a unique blend of creativity and love that made the day truly special.
Flowers played a significant role in our wedding aesthetic, and we wanted them to be everywhere. Wild Floral did an amazing job of bringing our vision to life at the venue, while Ben’s aunt Kath used flowers from her own garden to create stunning posies for the church and a beautiful floral arch. Her hard work really paid off!
I got creative with signs and stationery, using reclaimed wood from our home renovation project to make rustic signage. I also learned calligraphy and digitized it to create custom welcome signs and table plans. To top it all off, I made all the paper elements, including place cards, menus, and table names, as well as some lovely little touches like gift bags for our overnight guests.
Ben’s mom went above and beyond by making our wedding cake, which had been ‘fed’ with whisky for almost two years due to the initial postponement. Our friend Bex did an amazing job of decorating it for us.
Your Photographer & Filmmaker
We’re thrilled to have worked with the talented Dewi from Fox and Bear Photography. Our discovery of their stunning work was sparked by Instagram, where we stumbled upon #TrevorHall’s profile and fell in love with the photos credited to them. This serendipitous find led us to trust that Dewi’s familiarity with the venue would result in breathtaking shots, which indeed proved true. In fact, our initial engagement shoot had to be rescheduled due to a postponement, but this ultimately allowed for not one, but two opportunities to collaborate with Dewi and forge a strong connection with him. By the time our wedding day arrived, it felt like we were saying goodbye to an old friend, so natural was the rapport that developed over our shared experiences.
The Honeymoon
As our whirlwind wedding came to a close, my partner and I seized the opportunity for a rejuvenating minimoon in Cornwall. The picturesque coastline provided the perfect backdrop for a week of relaxation, adventure, and quality time together. We spent our days cycling through scenic routes, taking invigorating dips in the ocean, and indulging in delicious local cuisine and drinks. It was exactly what we needed to unwind after the chaos of wedding preparations. With travel restrictions slowly lifting, we’re now looking forward to embarking on a more exotic adventure – Sri Lanka is at the top of our list once the world settles into a new normal.
Memorable Moments
As we prepared for our big day, my dad, his wife Jill, and siblings Jordan, Erin, and Ethan were thousands of miles away in Australia. We’d booked Trevor Hall to join us for a week, knowing it would be an opportunity for the whole family to come together before the wedding. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, they couldn’t make it, so we arranged for them to join remotely from Brisbane. To make them feel included, we sent them décor and gifts beforehand. It was a bittersweet moment, but seeing their efforts to decorate their home like our venue, prepare a similar meal, and even bake a wedding cake was incredibly touching.In the days leading up to the wedding, Ben surprised us with dance lessons, which I’m obsessed with – think Strictly Come Dancing! The resulting dance, complete with lifts, was an unforgettable experience that got everyone on the dancefloor. Laughter and tears flowed freely during the speeches, which were a heartfelt celebration of our love story. We’d been waiting an extra year for this moment, making each word even more precious.We were fortunate to have Trevor Hall stay with us for a week, allowing us to host a family dinner on Monday before the wedding, prepared by friends Alex and Ellen. The day after our big day, our friend Becky organized a Sports Day, which was the perfect way to unwind and spend time with our loved ones before they headed back home. As the day flew by so quickly, it was wonderful to have quality time with all our guests.