So this is going to a personal one, as I’m writing it from the heart. I was married before back in 2006 and now divorced. I wouldn’t change anything about how I got to this place with my partner Seb who is my world and my rock. But, it did make me think about how I would do it differently if we got married again.
You see, I’ve realised that the first time around I got caught up in the traditional side of it all. The ‘you must do it this way’ etc. Don’t get me wrong – I got married in a CofE church back in 2006 and I wouldn’t change that. But there were so many choices available to me which I just wasn’t aware of! After all, how many of us have planned a wedding before!
Now in 2020, the wedding industry is so much more diverse & creative than ever before! So, how as a new couple planning your wedding do you navigate this world after you’ve got engaged? Read on below…
Cover photo by Matt Glover Photography
This is me ... the traditional bride
This is me on my wedding day back in 2006. Low body confidence. The larger than average bride.
When I was choosing my wedding dress I met a wonderful lady at Berkertex Bride (they’ve since gone out of business) who taught me about my shape and what did or didn’t suit me. Honestly, without that lady it would have been a disaster. You see, I fancied myself in a kinda meringue type wedding dress originally. Gosh I looked ridiculous in it!
Eventually, one of my friends picked this gold coloured dress from the shelf, and whilst it didn’t match my initial plans, it looked amazing for half the price! Lesson learned – try on every dress in the shop! And choose a GREAT wedding dress shop. They are worth their weight in gold.
This wedding car was one of the best things I had on my wedding day! “It’s just a car,” I hear you say. No, it’s not to me! My dad worked all his life at Jaguar Cars and he actually did the leather refurbishment of this car when he worked there. In the week the car stayed in the Jaguar museum and on the weekends you used to be able to hire it for weddings. I’m not sure you can even do this anymore which is a shame.
This was the first instance that I realised that weddings are about YOU! It’s important to have personal touches, however you weave them in. Though I would add that the driver left the roof down on the way to the wedding venue and nearly wrecked my hair! lol!
Memories are important
This is my mum and I – she passed away back in 2014. Now, I know that documentary style is all the rage and you can get some amazing photos. Memories are important. I’m super glad that I’ve got these pictures of my mum and I before she got really ill. Speak to your photographer and make sure they understand what’s important to you. Make sure you get the photos you really want. You can’t go back! Here’s our guide to choosing your wedding photographer.
A traditional wedding breakfast
This was our wedding reception. Gosh I tell you now I cringe at this! And I thought our wedding cake was quite racey at the time! lol!
On the morning of the wedding, the chair cover supplier dumped all the covers outside the reception room and left! Yes – they didn’t even put them on the chairs! How glad was I that I’d delegated a couple of friends to make sure it was all set up ok.
So what will I do differently next time?
If I get remarried, I’m going full on with the personalisation. The fur babies will be included with personalised shoes, a cute hand painted jacket, the odd smoke bomb and an alternative bouquet full of my favourite things which won’t wilt away from water. You can find lots of these things in our Alternative Wedding Directory!
It will probably be a smaller affair. Just the few people who mean the most to us. The budget doesn’t matter – it’s the people around us who do! There’s going to be none of this ‘they have to be invited because we’ve paid for your wedding’. It’s going to be all in our control. Oh and I really want a geeky wedding cake – with Star Wars and Marvel characters – we’re gonna test those cake designers to the max! Oh and perhaps a Wookie or two!
Photos courtesy of Nicki Shea Photography (smoke bombs), Inanna Bespoke Shoes, Charlotte Laurie Designs and Ophelia rose Hand Painted. All our awesome tribe members.
What do you think?
So let me know what you think? Pop into our Facebook chat room and let us know how you are planning your wedding day.
Over on the blog - more unique wedding ideas
The BEST Rainbow Wedding Inspiration!
Hello hello and welcome to RAINBOW WEEK! It seems we could all use a bit of a pick-me-up, so this week we’re flooding our social media with the best rainbow wedding inspiration! We’re suckers for a colourful wedding here at UW. Whether you’re looking for a few bright touches or a
Celestial Gothic Wedding Inspiration At Elvaston Castle
You are just going to ADORE the alternative wedding inspiration we have for you today. This celestial gothic wedding shoot was organised by Pretty Vintage Hire and captured by Doodah Photography. It’s dramatic, sultry and full of striking details! Keep reading for a gigantic moon prop, a historic wedding venue
Enchanting Winter Wedding Inspiration
This enchanting winter wedding is a ‘wow’ moment! Think: Rustic luxe meets Narnia! This cosy, artistic and extravagant wedding setup looks like a movie scene and we LOVE it. Captured by Alessandro Piolanti and featuring a killer alternative wedding dress by Crystal Amor Events, you’ll be gobsmacked at these creative
Luke & Victoria’s Creative Covid Wedding
We have more small wedding gorgeousness to share with you today! Luke and Victoria’s creative covid wedding is the perfect example of making the best out of a tough situation. Featuring the rainy streets of Bath and the sunny hills of the Cotswolds, these alternative wedding photos are friggin’ gorgeous!
Abi & Jake’s Alternative Intimate Wedding
Small weddings are on the rise and they’re bloody gorgeous! This alternative intimate wedding shows how you can rock a stripped back wedding and still make it unique to you. Featuring a bespoke black wedding dress, alternative decor, and an intimate ceremony, you’ll love this small wedding inspo! Keep reading
EPIC Viking Festival Wedding
When we say this Viking festival wedding is EPIC, we are not exaggerating. We’re talking fire displays, archery, a bouncy castle, a cake made of cheese, and a silent disco. This badass couple combined all the things they love, as well as incorporating their Norse and Celtic cultures to create