Shots, Crocs and Smoke Bombs:
A Wedding Full of Personality
If there was ever a wedding that screamed “we’re doing it our way,” it’s Freya and Iestyn’s epic celebration at The Shack Revolution in Hereford. Autumn colours, pizza-fuelled partying, epic smoke bombs, crocs, pjs, and shots instead of a ring exchange made their wedding day one full of personality.
From the very start, these two ditched the rulebook and created a celebration that was unapologetically them.
“Everything about our wedding day was uniquely us. We made sure every piece fit our personalities.” Freya told us, and it honestly showed in every detail.
A close friend officiated their ceremony. Illustrators sketched guests. A tattoo station kept the energy high. Meanwhile, the drinks “never stopped flowing.” Somewhere in the middle of all the joy, the bride even managed to sneak in a well-deserved mid-day nap.
Photos throughout from Carmel McCabe Photography
wedding planning their way
Freya and Iestyn began their planning journey with far too many ideas and no clue how to fit them all together.
“It got overwhelming really quickly. We loved so many things and yet had no idea how to make them work,” Freya admits.
After trying to merge every bit of inspiration, they decided to strip it all back and start again.
“We asked ourselves one simple question – what do we love? – and planned everything around that.”
That question became the heartbeat of their day. Freya walked down the aisle to Concerning Hobbits from The Lord of the Rings, while the tables were named after their favourite TV shows. The ceremony was relaxed and full of laughter, led by a close friend rather than a professional celebrant. Instead of a traditional ring exchange, the couple sealed their vows with shots – setting the tone for a day that was joyful, personal, and just a little bit rebellious.
The couple had Georgina Rose Events on hand throughout the day to help guide them and organise everyone.
“I didn’t realise how much I needed Georgie until I had her. She had no problem herding family members in the morning, helping set up first looks, and even putting my veil in because I was clueless! The definition of not all heroes wear capes.”
You may like to check out our blog How to start planning your wedding day
magical comfortable wedding wear
Shimmer and Crocs
“I didn’t know much about how I wanted to look on the day, I just knew I wanted to feel beautiful and maybe a little magical. That inspired my long veil with gold flecks throughout, and the long tulle skirt on the dress,” Freya told us.
Freya looked effortlessly romantic in a Laura May Bridal tulle gown with 3D floral details, finished beautifully by Kay Louise Makeup.
For footwear, Freya ignored all the advice against wearing crocs and went full comfort mode.
“A lot of people advised me against wearing crocs on my wedding day but I’m so happy I never listened. You couldn’t see the shoes under the dress anyway, but I was comfortable all day long! I could dance, run around and jump whilst keeping my crocs in sports mode all day long.”
Even the flower girls got in on the fun, decorating their own crocs with charms and jibbitz – a moment Freya treasures.
Personality in tweed
Iestyn, meanwhile, had a very specific vision for his suit.
“My husband desperately wanted a burgundy tweed suit but after much searching we couldn’t find one he liked anywhere. He did settle on something close though – a brown tweed suit with burgundy ties and dried flower boutonnières. He looked incredible.”
The rest of the wedding party wore coordinating suits – all from Suit hire Bridgend at Watkins Menswear.
As an extra personal touch, Freya printed photos of male family members on each tie to surprise them on the day.
Fun, Food & Flair Wedding Reception
Pizza Party
Freya and Iestyn’s reception was packed with creative, quirky touches that made it completely them.
“Neither of us have ever been one for fancy sit down meals, so we didn’t see why our wedding day should be any different!”
Guests enjoyed Panteg Pizza served straight to the tables. A sweets table was stacked with childhood favourites, including flying saucers. A dessert board featured brownies, cookies, and little Welsh cakes from The Cake Tin Trailer . The evening finished with a simple buffet.
Decor with Personality
Styling and décor tied the day together beautifully. Abbie Leigh Event & Styling worked magic at the dry hire venue The Shack Revolution. She sourced gorgeous Wilde Posies dried flower arrangements and beautiful candlesticks to satisfy Iestyn’s love of candles. Together, they complemented the autumn palette of deep burgundy, dark green, and splashes of baby pink
Freya’s advice: “stylists are amazing when it comes to inspiration, don’t skip them!”
Meanwhile, signage by Jessica Woodhouse Illustrations added personality and guided guests through the day with the illustrated table plan and welcome sign.
Party Time
Entertainment and interactive touches kept the energy buzzing. Guests were sketched by Creative Clementines , who captured everyone in fun, personalised drawings. A temporary tattoo station added playful fun while The One Step kept everyone dancing into the evening. Calleo captured guests’ voices in an audio guest book, creating a keepsake the couple will cherish forever.
2nd look rule breaker
Even the little moments reflected Freya and Iestyn’s personality. After the first dance, Freya swapped her dress for dino PJs, keeping the playful energy going well into the evening.
“Instead of a second dress, I jumped back into my dino pjs after the first dance. You don’t always have to follow the rules you see on social media.”
Smoke bombs & memories
Carmel McCabe Photography and Hawaiian T shirt Guy Videography captured every laugh, tear, and quirky detail of the day. The couple’s portraits outside were particularly magical thanks to a burst of colourful smoke bombs.
We asked Freya what were the most awesome parts of the wedding and she replied-
“Hands down the smoke bombs. Carmel really captured some of the most beautiful photos with that smoke…although I will say that I (the bride) took a pretty good nap mid day whilst everyone was eating pizzas – I think it was well deserved too!”
“Get friends and family involved. The people around you are what make the day so special. We had quotes from family members read in our ceremony (which we didn’t know about prior). I did a first look with my youngest sisters and my dad. These hold a very special place in my heart.”
Every memory, from the big to the small, reflected Freya and Iestyn’s personalities and the joy of celebrating exactly as they wanted.
You might also love our blog: How to be Your self on your wedding day
supplier dream team
Venue: The Shack Revolution
Photography: Carmel McCabe Photography
Videography: Hawaiian T shirt Guy Videography
Planner: Georgina Rose Events
Styling: Abbie Leigh Event & Styling
Dress: Laura May Bridal
Suit: Suit hire Bridgend at Watkins Menswear
MUA: Kay Louise Makeup
Flowers: Wilde Posies
Live illustration: Creative Clementines
Signage: Jessica Woodhouse Illustrations
Cake: The Cake Tin Trailer
Pizza: Panteg Pizza
Band: The One Step
Audio guest book: Calleo
