As soon as I met Liz and Gary, I knew that nothing about their wedding ceremony was going to be formulaic or boring. Both of them have more than one twinkle in their eyes, and their sense of adventure and taste for fun is huge! This wedding ceremony was a joy to plan from start to finish.
For Liz and Gary, life is most definitely for living, and they wanted their ceremony to be about their commitment to a future of travel and experience together, whilst celebrating the things that made them fall in love and keep them connected. Liz (who, can we all agree please, is a breathtakingly beautiful bride) said many times, Gary isn’t her type, but, falling in love isn’t always straightforward, and the romantic bond between these two is ridiculously evident. The way they look at each other. The good humoured acceptance of each other’s quirks. The pride. I knew the ceremony had to focus on the future but telling their story was too tempting, there were so many funny moments and I couldn’t resist it.
The wedding ceremony:
Liz came down the aisle with her son, and her and Gary shared an emotional moment before we began. I love this – there shouldn’t be any formality in such an important moment.
After Gary had brought his driver’s licence to their first date to carefully prove he was who he said he was after they met online, I produced my driver’s licence to ensure they knew I was who I said I was before we started.
Gary is never without his constant and most faithful companion, his drill, just in case there’s a DIY emergency, so I surprised him by bringing it out at the ceremony, so we could acknowledge its special place in their relationship. Power tools at a ceremony was a definite first for me!
As Liz and Gary are fans of board games, we played one round of Yahtzee to decide who went first with their gorgeous vows, which Gary lost on purpose as he was keen to go first.
After exchanging rings and the most beautiful vows, we had a hand fasting using a length of brightly coloured boat mooring rope which Liz’s mum had found whilst beach-combing at their cottage in Norway many years ago. It was a gorgeous way to create a lasting emotional connection to their Norwegian home and to Liz’s mum.
What I loved about this wedding:
Liz’s getting ready pictures. Have you ever seen a more relaxed and loving looking environment? Captures her perfectly.
Having a drink with Gary and his best man before the ceremony.
We talk a lot about dogs at weddings, but can we talk specifically about guest dogs at weddings? We had two, and it was so lush to see them watching, wagging their tails, from the aisles.
Liz and Gary chose to sit for much of their ceremony, in these gorgeous peacock chairs. It made it so easy for them to relax and enjoy the moments.
The focus on their next chapters, and their future together. The certainty and anticipation of what’s to come. It was so joyous.
Meeting their family and friends, and all the people I’d heard so much about whilst we were preparing for the day.
Liz and Gary got married at Cobbles, a beautifully converted events barn and cafe in Ogmore by Sea. These fantastic pictures are by Jack Hughes, used with his permission and that of Liz and Gary.
