Your South Wales Wedding - Sep/Oct 2019 (Issue 69)

REAL WEDDINGS 43  D anielle and Sarah met at an ice hockey game and felt an instant spark. “A mutual friend introduced us,” says Danielle. “Although we liked each other, it took us more than six months to go on a date.” The happy couple were both planning to propose. “We decided to go travelling,” Danielle shares. “We were in Iceland and had spent the day riding snowmobiles when Sarah suggested we go for a walk. We found an impressive glacier and were admiring it when she asked me to be her wife. Unknown to Sarah, I was planning to propose once we reached New York a few days later. I still wanted her to have that magical moment, so I asked her while we were wandering around Central Park. We were so excited, and it was a relief knowing she would say ‘yes’ before I asked.” SETTING THE SCENE “We had three venues for our big day,” says Danielle. “We were planning to have our ceremony at a register office, but when we visited West Usk Lighthouse on a whim, we fell in love. The setting was so beautiful, and it felt small and intimate. For the wedding breakfast, we booked our favourite pub, The Bell Inn. It’s a dog-friendly property, and the food there is amazing. The pub pulled out all the stops for us, and we now consider the staff good friends. I liked the idea of having our evening celebration at Portland House, having been to various functions there over the years. When Sarah saw it, she fell in love, and they even allowed us to bring our best man: our dog!” The lovebirds purchased their reception flowers from Sunflower&I. “The team have great taste, so we left the ideas to them,” Danielle explains. “For our bouquets, we visited Bluebell & Rose. We gave Jo a very broad brief, and she created arrangements that complemented our dresses perfectly.” Instead of a traditional cake, Sarah and Danielle opted for a tower of scones and Welsh cakes from Cardiff Bakestones. “Everyone seemed to love them,” says Danielle. “We ordered hundreds, and there weren’t any left at the end of the night.” They hired a party bus to transport their loved ones between venues. “This was great fun and a good way of getting ready for a night of dancing,” Danielle says. “We had champagne and sang karaoke, which left our nearest and dearest in fits of laughter.” DRESSED TO IMPRESS Danielle chose a vintage 1950s lace tea-length dress. “It was the first gown I saw, and I fell in love immediately,” shares Danielle. “It was so comfortable, and it made me feel gorgeous. Sarah opted for a floor-length bohemian design with a cowl IT MUST BE LOVE Danielle and Sarah had a fun-filled day surrounded by their friends and family Images courtesy of Nick Allsop Wedding Photographer