Your South Wales Wedding - January/February 2021 (Issue 77)

REAL WEDDINGS 33  C laire and Samuel met while studying music at Cardiff University. “We bonded over our mutual love of musical theatre and folk music,” says Samuel. “I accompanied Claire to a lunchtime concert series, and we became good friends. We quickly fell for each other without even realising it.” Samuel popped the question on New Year’s Eve in front of Claire’s family. “We looked at rings together earlier in December, but Claire didn’t know when the proposal would be,” shares the groom. “It was also a surprise for the rest of our friends and family.” SETTING THE SCENE “Having the wedding in Cardiff meant we were halfway between my family in Ireland and Sam’s in Southampton and the Isle of Wight,” shares the bride. “It’s a special city as it’s where we spent our formative years. The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama is not only a gorgeous venue, but it’s also suited to the type of music we wanted on the day. The wedding team helped two musicians feel at home being married on a stage.” Instead of favours, the couple decided to donate to the Alzheimer’s Society and Muscular Dystrophy Research in memory of Claire and Samuel’s grandfathers. “Our table plan was printed by a local shop in Bath called Digiprint,” adds the bride. “We chose a burgundy watercolour design which we also incorporated into our menus and table numbers.” For their big-day blooms, the couple hired Forbesfield. “We opted for tall dramatic centrepieces surrounded by candles,” says Claire. “The team also provided my bouquet, the buttonholes and arrangements for the registrar table and top table.” Claire and Samuel decided to have a four-tier cake from The Vale Cake Boutique. “We chose a lemon, blueberry, vanilla, salted caramel, red velvet and chocolate orange filling,” explains the bride. “The bottom tier was shaped like a giant’s causeway stone and iced in a marble style. The other three had cream and burgundy icing, mirroring the watermark style on the table plan, menus and place cards. It was topped with a pink isomalt bowl and decorated with flowers by Forbesfield. We also had a cheese tower with crackers, chutney, grapes and foliage that were sourced by my parents and served by the team at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.” The lovebirds chose beautiful decorations. “Sam and I used a gold hexagonal-shaped arch built by Sam’s dad,” says Claire. “We also had blush pink uplighters provided by the venue and a wall projection designed by my bridesmaid, Catherine McCartney.” Claire was transported to the venue in a white Daimler DS420 limousine from Premier Carriage. “For the drinks reception we had winter Pimms, a personalised drink with blackberries and a sprig of rosemary,” shares the bride. “We also offered tea, coffee, mini mince pies and heart-shaped Welsh cakes.” DRESSED TO IMPRESS Claire chose an A-line gown called Freyja . “It had a sweetheart neckline, an embroidered illusion chest and back, sheer sleeves and a super soft tulle skirt,” shares Claire. “I accessorised with celestial hairpins designed and made by a family friend at White Designs, a Swarovski necklace, a silver bangle bracelet, ear cuffs, white point-toed shoes and a simple tulle veil.” Samuel opted for a dark blue tweed suit from Next. “He wore a different patterned tie and buttonhole flower to help him stand