THERE’S BETWEEN US magic

Kerry and Huw incorporated their love of Disney into their big day at Rhosygilwen Images courtesy of Mumford Photography

Kerry and Huw both swiped right on Tinder and found that they were a perfect match. They exchanged numbers and started talking back in 2014. “I was working in a hotel in Aberaeron at the time,” says Kerry. “One Thursday evening, I invited Huw down to the hotel after a shift, and we ended up talking until 2am! We became official in December 2014, and the rest is history.”

Huw popped the question on Christmas Day in 2018. “It was our first Christmas in our new home together,” shares the bride. “We were in our pyjamas in the kitchen, and he’d bought a personalised heat-revealing mug, and on it, he’d written: ‘Will you marry me?’. I was really surprised, and don’t think I finished my tea!”

Here the bride shares some of her favourite moments from their big day...

Every part of Rhosygilwen was beautiful, and I could imagine how our photos would turn out in my head. The reality was even better, with the large daisy walkway, John’s very well-kept gardens and, of course, the mansion itself. The main attraction was knowing we’d be able to decorate the Oak Hall however we wanted and hire a caterer of our choosing – it was a very personalised experience!

Our favours were Welsh cakes made locally by Truly Scrumptious Bakes. To fit in with our Disney theme, they were in the shape of Mickey Mouse’s head in see-through bags with ‘Be Our Guest’ tags tied with string.

We created our table plan using a mirror; it included the names of the tables decorated with a floral border. All of the text was written in Disney fonts, which was supplied by a small business I found on Etsy called Nicky Noodles Doodles. Although not local, Nicky was excellent to deal with and supplied most of our stationery.

To continue our theme, we had Disney-inspired centrepieces that were designed and made by Truly Madly Deeply. Catherine is a creative friend who kindly supplied us with everything we needed to make our tables look gorgeous.

Our family friend, Elen, made our wedding cake. It included vanilla, chocolate and raspberry sponges with subtle Disney decorations and a Mickey and Minnie personalised topper.

Expressions Florists provided our wedding flowers. Julie was amazing from start to finish, and the blooms were everything I had imagined and more!

Steilio Dots Styling supplied our chair decorations which were white covers with grey chiffon hoods and silver broaches.

Steve Briers Disco Roadshow, based in Pembrokeshire, was our DJ for the evening reception. He was fantastic, friendly, and very accommodating. We also had Sarahjane Absalom play the harp for our guests in the chapel and upon arrival at Rhosygilwen. Walking down the aisle to Sarahjane playing Can You Feel the Love Tonight on the harp was like a dream.

My dress was called Lena by Enzoani. I’d seen a couple of dresses online, but being a bit of a tomboy, I was pretty clueless. I couldn’t have been happier with my dress which was actually chosen by the lovely lady in Laura May Bridal in Cardiff. I accessorised it with the largest tiara in the shop, some small, dangly earrings and a simple necklace.

My bridesmaids opted for grey multiway gowns from Infinity Dress. Not only were they affordable, but the girls could wear them however they felt comfortable.

Huw wore a Marc Darcy suit. He chose a tweed check three-piece design in a tan colour. With his groomsmen being dotted all over the world, it was difficult to get them all together, so they wore their own suits, and I liked how it looked in the photos.

Cwtch Catering in Carmarthen provided our food. I honestly can’t thank Marc and Diana enough for everything they did for us. Our guests, 10 months on, still talk about how nice the food was. They were so good with the logistics of having a wedding later on in the day. Everything ran perfectly and not one person had a bad thing to say about their food.

I was very nervous on the morning of the wedding. I don’t know whether it’s because we’d been together for quite some time and I’d been dreaming about this day for so long. I was taking rescue remedy like it was going out of fashion (it didn’t help). Huw said he was feeling quite chilled until the chapel went silent ready for my entrance.

Our minister said the wrong names a few times during his reading. He must’ve forgotten to amend the names from a previous wedding he did and was reading off his papers without realising. Now we’re known as Stephen and Nerys to a few of our friends!

My dress reveal to my dad was one of my favourite moments. I’d managed to keep the dress hidden from him since 2020, and walking down the stairs to my dad in my wedding dress was such an emotional feeling and every time I watch it back on our video, I cry my eyes out. Don’t get me started on the daddy/ daughter dance set up by my auntie Jacqui!

A special shoutout must go to my brother Kyle. When we were younger, one of our favourite films to watch together was Toy Story. Kyle hired mascot outfits from an online company, and he and my other brother Keelan dressed up as Woody and Buzz –they came running onto the dancefloor dancing to You’ve Got a Friend in Me, and it was honestly one of the best moments ever!

We had to postpone our wedding from 2021, so we had our honeymoon before we got married! Being the petrolhead that I am, we opted to go to the Silverstone Formula One Grand Prix. We were sat on the front row of the grandstand at Copse Corner. Any F1 fans will know that Copse Corner was the place to be in 2021. It was scorching hot weather, so we came back nice and tanned and relaxed.

KERRY AND HUW’S CONTACTS

Venue, Rhosygilwen, www.retreat.co.uk | Photographer, Mumford Photography, www.mumfordphotography.com | Videographer, Teifi Films, www.teififilms.co.uk | Bride’s dress, Laura May Bridal, www.lauramaybridal.co.uk | Dress alterations, The Sewing Studio, www.facebook.com/people/the-sewing-studio/100063798049930 | Groom’s suit, Marc Darcy, www.marcdarcy.co.uk | Bridesmaids’ dresses, Infinity Dress, www.infinitydress.co.uk | Mother-of-the-bride/groom’s dress, Ededa J, www.ededa-j.co.uk | Hair stylist, Salon K27, www.facebook.com/salonk27 | Make-up artist, TM Beauty & Holistic, www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063811832670 Flowers, Expressions Florists, www.expressionsflorists.co.uk | Favours, Truly Scrumptious Bakes, www.trulyscrumptiousbakes.co.uk

Stationery, Nicky Noodles Doodles, www.nickynoodlesdoodles.co.uk | Entertainment, Steve Briers Disco Roadshow, www.stevebriers.co.uk | Harpist, Sarahjane Absalom - Harpist, www.facebook.com/sarahjaneharps | Event styling, Steilio Dots Styling, www.stiwdiodots.co.uk | Centrepieces, Truly Madly Deeply, www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063631327076 Catering, Cwtch Catering, www.cwtch-catering.com

Offering a choice of locations for you ceremony, and a glorious setting for your reception, Rhosygilwen is the perfect choice for Pembrokeshire weddings.

Rhosygilwen has been a special place to get married for over 20 years and we have a long list of very happy couples who have made many happy memories. We take great pride and joy in providing a special service to wedding parties. Guests are impressed from the moment they enter the grounds of Rhosygilwen till the time they depart. Call us: 01239 841 387