tables had a collection of small vases with stems in them. For the top table, they had a window box with jars of flowers in it. This was later filled in with the bunches of flowers carried during the ceremony. Gina adds, “the arch that had been behind us for the actual ceremony, we moved to be behind us at the top table. We were keen on making sure that we were reusing flowers and taking a more sustainable route.” The naturally open and white style of the venue meant that the colourful flowers could really pop! The confetti for after the ceremony was made by Gina’s friend’s mum and were petals from flowers in her garden. Luckily, she could match the theme of the wedding perfectly with the flowers she had collected! LOOKING THE PART Gina’s dress was actually a lucky find at a trunk show that she decided to go to last minute! It was a Mori Lee dress called Philomena and was paired with a long veil adorned with a leafy pattern and then a small crystal belt to tie it all together. Daniel wore a Toree Uomo suit from Hawkes in Cardiff, in a rich green colour. They also got a matching suit for their son – Gina adds, “seeing them together in their matching suits was beyond perfect.” The bridesmaids all wore green dresses but in varying styles, so that they could feel comfortable on the day. PARTY TIME! Gina and Daniel outlined that their wedding was designed to be one big party and it’s safe to say they fulfilled the brief. To walk Gina down the aisle and to welcome everyone to the drinks reception, they had a pianist, and she played an acoustic version of Everlong by the Foo Fighters, to soundtrack Gina’s walk to newlywed bliss. The next part of their entertainment for the day was a pub quiz! In case you can’t tell, Gina and Daniel are big pub quiz fans, so it was only right that this would be a part of their big day. Their friend and former flatmate, Gavin, was the writer and host of the quiz and Gina states, “he absolutely smashed it!” The winners were, of course, the newlyweds which they claim isn’t fixed – when you’ve had as much experience as this couple, at a quiz, then you’re bound to outshine others. To capture the day, this couple also hired a polaroid selfie pod where people could bundle in and get some classic photo booth pictures. The machine printed two copies of the images, so that one could go in the guest book and one could be taken home. For evening entertainment, they had a band and a DJ; the band did a garage set to get everyone up and dancing and this was followed by the DJ, Chris. Gina and Daniel met Chris at a wedding fair, and it was here that they knew he would be the one to perform at their wedding. He played requested songs on the night but also performed songs from his festival set. He also played their first dance song, which was In for the Kill by La Roux (Skream remix). MEMORABLE MOMENTS For both Gina and Daniel, the day felt overwhelming with emotions, in a good way! “The excitement is bursting out of you, as well as love and happiness and nerves. I wish I could bottle that feeling.” – Gina The blur of a wedding can feel like a euphoric rush, but there will always be moments that stand out. For Gina, it was when she arrived at the venue and recalls, “people were being ushered inside and Luke, our photographer, came out to us in the car and said ‘OK, when the bridesmaids’ car leaves, you drive up to the door. This is it’. That moment felt like the top of a roller-coaster, when you’re about to drop off the top. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the feeling in that moment.” The calm 21 REAL WEDDINGS
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