Do you have an engagement story?
We got engaged at the top of Primrose Hill, London on a chilly December morning sunrise.
What attracted you to The Orangery?
When we visited Margam we were always astounded by how lovely the Orangery was. However, we’d never been inside until we came to view it as a wedding venue. When we arrived we were taken aback by the beauty of the big airy room. When the sun streams through the windows it is incredible! There is so much space. The room is lovely as it is, so it doesn’t necessarily need lots of over the top decorations. It was perfect for what we wanted – something simple but beautiful. However the room is easy to adapt to the theme of your wedding because it is so light and white.
As we were DIY-ing most of the wedding, we really liked that the ceremony and reception room were separate spaces. Meaning once the rooms were set up, we wouldn’t have to worry about switching things around during the day.
The staff were also so warm, welcoming and incredibly helpful. We decided to have an entirely vegan menu, they were extremely accommodating to make this possible for us. The food was delicious and we received countless compliments on the day about how tasty everything was.
Did your wedding have a theme?
Our theme was ‘Wildflowers’. We wanted things to be colourful, incorporating some of our favourite colours. My father had grown a lot of the flowers we used, so we really wanted these to be the focus of the day. We wanted them to look whimsical, colourful with lots of movement. As the grounds at Margam Park are so beautiful, we wanted it to feel like we were bringing the outside in.
Tell us about your ceremony.
We decided to use the large windows as a backdrop for our ceremony, to incorporate the scenery and stunning grounds of Margam Park. This left us with some amazing photos during the ceremony and of the first kiss.
We included a Welsh reading of ‘Mi Gerddaf gyda Thi’.
The Orangery's beautiful building provided us with a perfect background to our confetti toss. People loved walking through the grounds during gaps in the day and the outside seating meant people could relax and enjoy in the sunlight. It was a relaxed and enjoyable day for everyone. The kids were kept entertained exploring the nearby ruins and trees.
What is your favourite memory of the day?
Our favourite memory of the day was sitting down for food, looking out at all our nearest and dearest. The room looked beautiful, the sun was shining through the windows and we just felt so lucky!
Who was your chosen photographer/ videographer?
Our photographer was Tayla Wheeler from Tayla & Co Photography.
Instagram: @taylaandcophotography
What are your words of wisdom when it comes to wedding planning?
The day does go by fast, planning in advance and explaining your expectations to others helps the day to go by without a hitch.
If you’re planning your wedding on a budget like us, decide what’s important to you and that’s where to allocate your budget. Although, by choosing a venue that’s naturally beautiful really helps to elevate the look and feel of the wedding.
Don’t buy lots of little bits until you’ve decided what your theme/colours are. We ended up with lots of little bits that we didn’t need and the cost adds up. Once you’ve made a decision about something (especially the small things); stick with it!