Celebrant Views, Love & Relationships, Reasons to visit Wales and Cerdyn Villa

An Alternative Wedding? – There’s a new venue in town!

stained glass dragon in front of tepee

An Alternative Wedding? – There’s a new venue in town!

If you want something a bit different for a wedding or vow renewal, there’s a new venue right here in Llanwrtyd Wells.  The Cwtch Hwtch at Cerdyn Villa offers alternative wedding, elopement & vow renewal packages

There was a lot of excitement and activity at one location in Llanwrtyd on May Bank Holiday Sunday.

Now that’s not unusual for LW , we are known for our activities, usually off centre, always fun; but in the last year, like most locations, ‘fun’ and ‘activities’ have been off the calendar.

Cerdyn Villa reopened its doors with a big launch event having reinvented itself in 2020.

An Alternative Elopement, Vow Renewal & Micro-wedding Venue

Its owner, me, Berni B, trained as an Independent Celebrant  want to know what that is?  (Follow this link!).  She and John then went on to create a magical space in their garden; adding a tree deck, bespoke tepee and glamping pod, in order to offer vow renewal , elopement and micro – wedding packages to couples of any gender mix, to celebrate and declare their love and unity to each other.  In fact I am here in Mid Wales for all your alternative wedding needs!

The Cwtch Hwtch, elopement venue glamping
The Cwtch Hwtch at Cerdyn Villa, Classic Eldis Caravan Glamping for romantic couples
bespoke tepee for a ceremony in the garden
Bespoke made tepee by Sails of Merit to fit our part-felled tree
the cwtch Hwtch glamping at night
The Cwtch Hwtch at night

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On 30th May 20-30 micro business owners and sole traders with a finger in the wedding industry, gathered at Cerdyn Villa to create four ‘Styled Shoots’ to showcase, not just the venue but all their collective services .  That day , we made some magic; made new friends and created service business partnerships that will go on to enhance our visitor experience.  The day would not have been possible without any of the participants, but here I want to do a big shout out to Pixie Knowles, The Plan-It Pixie who was our event planner and drove the day forward; and Cathy Cooke, of Vintage Florrie, Eco Wedding Styling, for being the days stylist and Fran Phillips of La Di Dardy Flowers in Crickhowell (if I ever send or use cut flowers I always use a Flowers from the Farm supplier so I know the flowers are home grown and not flown)

 

Style 1 : Magical May wonderland.

Magical May Wonderland Wedding.
photographer, Ann Seymour taking a picture of our bride

It wasn’t a trick, but I persuaded my son Jason and his partner of 6yrs , Lottie, to model.  It was a staged wedding; didn’t stop John from crying!  Largely I wanted to showcase the magical quality of our tiny copse of tree and the versatility o the outdoor space.  Lottie outfit is ethereal and totally divine:  the dress is made by  Scarlet Tayla Bespoke Couture ; the boots (OMG) are by House of Elliot Collection and that headdress (swoon) is Rachel Chaprunne.  The dream catchers etc belong to me but were bespoke made by the very talented Amanda Rose – a Brecon based artist and illustrator.

Bride and Groom - Magical May Wonderland
Bride and Groom in the garden at Cerdyn Villa, with some of our free roaming hens
Bride Groom and Acrobatic Entertainment
Sky Dancer Storm, Justina Gibbs, doing amazing things in a tree with Ann Seymour taking professional shots
flowers from the farm
Always the bridesmaid never the bride – John holding the bouquet by La Di Dardy Flowers

Style 2: Playful Pink Passion

At the home of Lady Lily the Pink of the Monster Raving Loony Party. it would have been rude not to have a pink theme. Tazmin and Samantha, our models, are friends from Llandrindod.  Both the pink tartan pantaloon suit and the shocking pink dress were bespoke made for the shoot by Zoe, of Scarlet Tayla Couture.  The fabulous button bouquet was made for us by Sally of Buttons Beads Bells and Bows.  

Lady Lily Pink
Lady Lil popping on her DMs, Photo credit: Ann Seymour Photography
Bride and cat
Our cat, Emmett, helping calm Sammy’s nerves
Fantastic Grazing boxes supplied by Caffi Sosban her in LW, available to couple staying in The Cwtch Hwtch . Phot credit: Ann Seymour Photography

 

champaign and grazing box for a romantic night in the Cwtch Hwtch
Our couple chilling out in the Cwtch Hwtch with chilled champagne and a picnic (from Caffi Sosban): Photo: Bobbie Lee Photography
Wedding Hair by Century Marks
Hair by Chris from Century Marks Salon, based in Builth Wells. Phot: Ann Seymour Photography

 

Style 3 : Baroque inspired Goth

John designed and built this 3m square tree deck, initially for our grandson (there is a secret entrance hatch in the floor); I wanted it to work as a place for love and unity ceremonies.

 

Justina Gibbs, Skydancer Storm , modelling handmade lace boots by House of Elliott, whilst hanging in a tree… as you do!
Photo: Ann Seymour Photography
Where to look?! John holding the ladder as we have yet to procure a staircase. Dress by Scarlet Tayla, Photo by Ann Seymour
on the tree deck at Cerdyn Villa
ready to perform a unity ceremony on the tree deck

 

couple on the tree deck
I love these old chandeliers hanging in the tree deck., and the view over the horse fields. Photo: Ann Seymour
table for two with wedding cake
this ‘naked cake’ is by The Crumb Company in Newbridge. Sarah Waters set it up during lockdown and she’s now a preferred supplier to Cerdyn Villa: Photo: Ann Seymour Photography

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Styled Shoot 4: Bold, Vibrant & ZINGY

This final look was created to showcase the work of a new upcycled fashion label.  Carlie Ann Griffiths lives in Llanwrtyd and has set up Cabbage White Fashion.  ‘Cabbage’ being fabric remnants . She makes one off items from remnants anSo d upcycled charity shop finds.  The fabulous shoes are by Inanna Bespoke Shoes

The Crumb Company - wedding cake
Sarah Waters of The Crumb Company, decorating her mini naked wedding cake for Bold & Zingy styled shoot. Photo Credit: Bobbie Lee
cabbage White Fashion
This bold dress was designed and made by the model Carlie Ann of Cabbage White Fashion : Photo Credit : Ann Seymour
bespoke shoes by Inanna
These hand painted shoes are by Inanna Bespoke Shoes. Phot is by Bobbie Lee
fran Phillips La Di Dardy Flowers
Fran Phillips of La Di Dardy Flowers, Crickhowell, . Photo credit: Ann Seymour

 

 

One Venue: Four Very Different Styles

 

Meet our photographers

Bobbie Lee as taken by Ann Seymour
Ann Seymour as captured by Bobbie Lee

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