What a riot of joy and festivity. Su & Dom’s Wed Fest at Rhyse Farm had it all in abundance… it was their dream party, combined with their love of festivals and jam packed full of authentic wonderful diverse, fun, kind ,and extraordinary people gathered together to celebrate the most important things of all LOVE, COMMUNITY and chosen FAMILY.
Ultimate Wedding Planner
Now, I’ve never wanted to be a wedding planner, I’m quite happy just liaising with the couple, sharing and retelling their story, and creating a magical ceremony as part of the occasion. I’m even happy to add in being master of ceremonies (if it’s an informal, relaxed wedding). But as far as I could tell, wedding planning is extremely stressful. And definitely a young person’s game; decidedly out of my comfort zone and age demographic!
But then along came BBC Scotland, enticing me to be a contestant on a new pilot series for BBC2, Ultimate Wedding 
Planner. I told them “I’m a celebrant not a planner.” They told me that was “OK, I would be good for the show”. We agreed that I did do some event planning. It’s true, I do, I have. I led the organisation of events such as The World Bog Snorkelling Championship and The Real Ale Wobble here in my home town of Llanwrtyd Wells for a few years. Plus I’d organised a few themed parties in the past from design and décor, to catering and entertainment. But I never had any desire to be a wedding planner. I told them so.
BBC Reality TV
When they approached me, quite close to the start of filming, I was involved in the first throws of Wedding Law Reform as I was on the committee of The Association of Independent Celebrants. I thought the show might just provide an opportunity to showcase the role of celebrants, the difference between “Independents” and “Humanists” and maybe get across why reform is needed.
So there I was, a contestant on this pilot series alongside seven wannabe or already in the trade, event planners. And the madness began! Four months and six weddings later (of which I was involved in five – not a spoiler as its no longer available on iPlayer), I knew for absolute certain that wedding planning was not for me!
I also thought I knew for absolute certain that I was not interested in officiating weddings for couples who engaged one to run their wedding.
Because of the show, I thought that wedding planner run weddings were military precision (to quote Fred Sirieix), micro- managed events (per the wonderful, kind, talented Raj Somaiya), leaving no room for joyful improvisation and flexibility. I thought weddings planned using a wedding planner never allowed anyone to ‘go with the flow’ or relax into the occasion. That’s how the judges portrayed it on the show.
Now, I’m sure there is a place for events that run like clockwork , to the minute, with sharp edges, strict rules and not a hair out of place, no one missing the train (thanks Fred/Raj!). But those types of events (weddings) are not for me.
Charlie’s Planning
What I discovered is that you CAN have a fun, relaxed, flexible event AND have it led by a wedding planner! I discovered this when I worked alongside Charlie Hunter, (as the celebrant) at a wedding at the stunning Rhyse Farm, for the fabulously gorgeous, fun and relaxed Su and Dom Cowles. Charlie is now (I think) stepping back from wedding planning – maybe she agrees that it’s a younger persons game, but probably because she just loves doing the florals and happens to be exceptionally good at it… check out, her business Fannie Fleur – Floral Art & Styling
Su & Dom
I loved Su & Dom two as soon as I heard from them way back in May 2024. I was desperate to impress them on our video chat as I really wanted to be their celebrant. I loved their love story, their interaction with each other, their plans for the future and their intention to have a massive festival style wedding with all the bells and whistles this June, six months after their legal marriage just after last Christmas.
This couple work hard (they’re both nurses) and play hard (they love live music and festivals) and their wedding was to be the gathering of all the different groups of their collective friends and families, including a whole cohort of people they met through the festival scene.
So, whilst the wedding needed a lot of organising, hence Charlie, and needed to run like a Festival in the main components timings, the actual experience for the congregation and wedding party needed to be that of a festival goer; fun, relaxed, interactive, boozy, playful. It required glitter and improvisation, heckling from the congregation and back from the celebrant (that would be me) , it needed friendly, chatty, and soft lines between the attendees and the ‘staff’ (me for example)… Professional but fun, chatty and engaged with everyone but also able to signpost people, solve a problem and perform a role. My kind of gig. I love to muck in, as you know.
The Venue
Rhyse Farm is in Tenbury Wells. It’s a stunning high end glamping/wedding venue on what used to be a working farm. It is beautifully appointed and ran with precision but a light touch by Candice and her team. It is the perfect mix of glamorous and cosy/relaxed.
The décor is divine; from the wedding party’s space for getting ready to the partner’s hang out complete with bar and pool table. Lots of sofas and areas to cwtch up, tonnes of outside seating in different styles – from day beds to picnic tables, and huddles of chairs around fire pits.
The ceremony barn is spacious and a bare canvas for the couple to decorate, with outside space for pre ceremony drinks. Su and Dom had a prosecco bar and a wheelbarrow of chilled beers and ciders for guests prior to and during the ceremony. In fact the best man danced down the aisle with said wheel barrow handing out drinks to the congregation. Even the groom cracked open a can whilst waiting for his bride at the beautiful hand made macrame arch with Charlies signature dried flower arrangements… well, it was the hottest and longest day of the year.
The Ceremony
Award winning couple, Andrew & Nikki Kristy of Finesse – piano & cello, played at the ceremony having had to learn Su & Dom’s chosen Ramstein tracks. It was perfect. The ceremony included lots of ‘audience participation’ plenty of laughter, the odd heckle, some improvisation, lots of toasting as everyone had a drink, and loads of whooping and cheering.
It was a true reflection of the couples personalities. Vows and rings were exchanged, a knot tied, a certificate signed… Plenty of kissing (the couple – not me)… And lots of blowing cold air to try and stop everyone’s makeup sliding off – again, I remind you, hottest day of the year (almost).
Fun & Photos
It was lovely to join the wedding party after for canapes and photos (I cant wait to see the professional pics from Owlcat Media) and plenty of chat.
Saying goodbye to Charlie when I left at four-ish and knowing she would be there until at least 9pm having started about 6am, did nothing to change my mind about wanting to take on wedding planning, but being part of her team for that bit of the day, and having worked alongside Su & Dom to create their beautiful, fun, festival wedding ceremony, made me rethink my boundaries (not that I have many!) and continue to take on weddings based on the personalities of the couples and how we gel at that initial meeting.
Su & Dom you are fabulous. As are your family and wonderful friends. Thank you for entrusting me with your ceremony – it was an absolute joy xxxx
When I get access to the official photos I’ll do a little update with more detail about the ceremony. I’d love to see the full Wed Fest
.
