Your South Wales Wedding - Jan/Feb 2020 (Issue 71)

REAL WEDDINGS 43  A lly and Benjamin met while sailing. “We’re both quite adventurous, and we were instantly attracted to each other,” says Ally. “For our first date, we went for a walk in the rain at Nash Point Lighthouse and ended up in Gwdihw in Cardiff.” Benjamin popped the question on 22 nd September, 2018. “He took me away under the ruse we were having an early birthday trip,” shares the bride. “We went to Saint Brides for a walk along the coast, recreating our first date, the only difference was we now had our beloved dog with us. Once we got back to the hotel, we sat down with a hot chocolate and Ben asked me to marry him.” SETTING THE SCENE “Within two days of getting engaged we had visited Holm House Hotel and knew it was the perfect place for us,” says Ally. “The property overlooked Steep Holm where we used to race together, and offered amazing views of the Bristol channel. We had spoken to other people who had attended weddings there and heard really good things which helped make up our minds.” The happy couple gave their guests fruits and nuts tied together with twine as favours. “We decided to make our table plan,” explains the bride. “We used a frame that my grandparents had given us. It looked great, and we loved the finished product.” For their flowers, the couple turned to The Lily Pad. “My bouquet was inspired by our grandmothers’ wedding flowers,” shares Ally. “We incorporated them into our centrepieces which were lighthouses decorated with sand and pebbles.” Ally and Benjamin opted for a small cake. “My aunt made it for us,” says Ally. “She used my grandmother’s recipe, and it tasted lovely.” The couple hired a car from Ebony & Ivory Wedding Cars to transport Ally. “It was a lovely experience,” Ally explains. “Ben decided to drive to the church in my dad’s Mustang.” DRESSED TO IMPRESS Ally chose a vintage Sassi Holford gown from Pritchard & Moore. “It had daffodils on it, which I loved,” shares Ally. “I changed my dress for the evening reception and accessorised it with a jewellery set that my grandmother had given me for my 18 th birthday. Unfortunately, I’d lost the necklace so Northern Star Jewellery worked really hard to recreated it from old photos.”