Real Couples: Garden and At Home Weddings -

Garden Weddings are, quite possibly my favourite type of wedding.

Having a celebration in ones own garden or a family friend’s garden or even in a small garden venue, such as here at Cerdyn Villa

I’ve officiated a few garden weddings. Most recently, this one for Bethan and Dafydd. Held in their family friends’ garden here in Llanwrtyd, it was an absolute joy and honour to help with a wedding of people I already knew in a home so filled with love and friendship every single day.

The thing about weddings, (elopements, vow renewals, unity ceremonies) and any celebration of love and commitment is that ultimately, they’re not about the £££ or the bling or the matching chair covers; they are only about the sharing of two peoples love story and its celebration alongside the people that matter most to them.

There were so many favourite parts to this particular celebration for me, here are a few:-

There was a tea and coffee help yourself bar

Whilst they had caterers to provide the veggie hot buffet, guests were encouraged to provide a dessert for the dessert buffet which made for a magnificent display of sweet treats – I made a baked lemon cheesecake

everything was created and prepared by the couple and their friends and guests making every element all the more meaningful

We created a handfasting where 20 or so of the guests each laid a ribbon over the arms of the couple and shared a ‘moment’ whilst we played some music

Instead of vows the couple read alternative verses of a poignant poem

The congregation formed a tunnel with their arms to lead the couple from the garden to the house

We snuck into the family cwtch for a quiet glass of champagne and a breather before reappearing through the front door

The couple made their entrance together from the garden potting shed where the bride had been hiding in order to wow the crowd with her amazing vintage 20’s gown

he bride made a speech first
The bridesmaids all spoke

The bar didn’t have a closing time and as the evening rolled on guests huddled around fire pits and reflected on a perfect day

The guests stood or sat around on the lawn in front of a willow arch made by a family friend

What was most wonderful about the whole event and the joy of a garden wedding is just how relaxed, authentic, free flowing , informal and family friendly it all was. And the next day there were plenty of people still around, pottering, clearing, and continuing the celebration.

Photos by Richard Crease (family)

Thankyou to Bethan and Dafydd for allowing me to share their pictures. Thankyou to Richard for taking them.

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