Beth and Alex met on a dating website. “We have both been married before and gone through difficult separations and divorces,” says Beth. “Alex was incredibly charming and to this day, I still call him my Charming Mr Alex. We had a lot in common, as we both love the outdoors and enjoy walking, paddleboarding, the beach and coastal areas. Our love for life was what really shone through. We had an immediate connection and I know it may sound cheesy, but I know that we were meant to meet. He is what I had been waiting for my entire life! He treated me like an absolute lady from the start and spoilt me rotten in every way and still does. He completely swept me off my feet and the first year was a total dream come true. It is incredible to meet someone who respects you so much for who you are and who will love you unconditionally. I feel so lucky to have met Alex and to now have the family that I do with him.” Alex took Beth to Iceland for her birthday in January 2022 and proposed at a Michelin-starred restaurant called Dill. “We had seen the restaurant on our favourite programme called Down to Earth,” shares the bride. “I had dreamed of going to Iceland for so long and we had so much fun exploring it together. It was one of the most amazing holidays and one I will never forget.” SETTING THE SCENE “Alex took me to Cobbles Kitchen & Deli for sandwiches on our very first date and for a stroll along Monknash Beach afterwards,” explains Beth. “It was lovely and the sandwiches were phenomenal. We wanted to have a very relaxed, intimate wedding, so the venue felt like the perfect location as it was near so many of our favourite beaches and had a special place in our hearts from our first date. For the wedding, I knew I wanted a very wild and rustic theme that would match the venue. However, I also felt it was important to be mindful of the environment, particularly after attending a sustainable wedding fair. Therefore, I focused on being as sustainable as possible and rented or borrowed most of the equipment I used for the wedding. This included borrowed log piles and jars from my florist as well as drying my own flowers for the displays. It was a lovely touch, as I collected the flowers while out on walks where I lived. We also used digital invites and antique mirrors that were passed down from my nans who have passed away. They acted as a beautiful welcome sign and sign for where we hung lots of Polaroid pictures of us with our friends and family.” For their big-day cake, Bake Your Day by Sarah provided the couple with a two-tiered creation. “It was lemon and chocolate and covered with cream icing and dried pressed wildflowers,” recalls Beth. “Cobbles Kitchen & Deli provided the food for the day. We had Mediterranean platters, including halloumi, chicken, olives, hummus, potato salad and pizzas with mini sweet treats. In the evening, we had a delicious barbecue. “To transport Alex, his parents, and our son, we hired a blue campervan from VW Weddings Wales,” adds the bride. “We opted for a cream convertible Beatle to take our other two sons and me to the venue. I have dreamt of owning a VW Beatle since I was a young woman and to have one transport me to our wedding was a dream come true.” DRESSED TO IMPRESS “I wore a vintage-style dress from Cardiff Bridal Centre,” reveals Beth. “I accessorised it with dried flowers in my hair and vintage Art Deco earrings. I also wore a beautiful gold bracelet from my mum, which she had received from my dad on their wedding anniversary.” 35 REAL WEDDINGS
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