Bethan and Conall held their fairytale wedding ceremony in the glorious grounds of Boconnion on Saturday 28 September 2024…
…. and thanks to some beautiful staging, and a fantastic couple, this was possibly the most exquisite wedding ceremony experience we’ve ever encountered!
Bethan and Conall contacted us almost a year before their big day to see if we were available to lead their ceremony at Boconnion - a venue we are always delighted to attend. We had a video call, and then met in person at a Boconnion Open Day in January, and by April we had started to get organised - initial questions were asked (and answered), planning forms exchanged, reassurances given, and ‘getting to know you’ questionnaires pondered…
Working at the venue Boconnion so regularly - and the only professional celebrants to do so ever since it first opened! - means we have a wealth of information at our fingertips should a couple ever need it, and while every ceremony really is completely different, it’s always comforting to a couple to know that we can anticipate most eventualities! So our knowledge of the different ceremony spaces, their acoustics and staging options is super-helpful - even when things don’t quite turn out as planned... but more on that later!
Living locally, the three of us were able to meet again in person and that July we chatted over coffee and hot chocolate at our neighbourhood garden centre to discuss the content of the ceremony in more detail - the very same day that Bethan would be collecting her wedding dress! We had a lovely, long, leisurely chat - and it was interesting to see how Bethan and Conall’s views about their ceremony developed: initially they had thought their ceremony should include a ritual or ‘something fun’, but soon realised that a beautifully written ceremony really doesn’t require either, and they were happy to trust the process!
However what they had decided upon. was three readings by Mums Karen and Nikki, as well as a piece which Maid of Honour Deanna was writing herself. They also indicated that they didn’t want the ceremony to be too sentimental, and nor did they want to feel too much in the spotlight. Challenge accepted! And I have to say - I LOVED writing this ceremony: it made me smile, it made me reflect and it made me very excited to hear their feedback! Which was as follows:
Thank you so much for sending this over. We were both smiling the whole way reading through it, you've honestly totally nailed it. It's absolutely perfect. You've totally got who we are as a couple and you've represented us perfectly. Thank you SO much!
Ah, it’s always so good to hear this! (And it’s always easier to write a great ceremony when you have great material!)
So let’s fast forward to their most special day: the plan was to hold the ceremony on the lawn at Boconnion, with a wet weather back up of being in the gorgeous barn. Both are beautiful options. But - the weather on the day flipped from cool to damp to dry to windy - not really ideal for a ceremony on the grass, but not inclement enough to retreat indoors.
Resident wedding planner (and occasional celebrant with us!) Caroline Griffiths waved her magic wand and at the last moment created the most stunning and stylish ceremony space in an area just beyond the barn on the adjacent wide and meandering pathways - in a circular layout, with multiple fire pits and blankets for warmth, completed by wonderfully seasonal floral arrangements. The last touch was added in deciding where to seat Conall and Bethan, which we suggested was exactly where the wedding party would make their entrance, in the aisle, meaning that our couple would physically complete and close ‘the circle’ - something which we feel is beautifully symbolic of equality, wholeness, eternity and perfection - and truly the ultimate ceremony space.
Last minute plans confirmed, groom and best man in place, bride and maids all ready and looking stunning, the lilting sounds of Concerning Hobbits played by Classical Strings announced the entrance of the bridal party; the three flower girls arrived scattering rose petals, then the three bridesmaids entered the circle looking stunning in deep red, and finally gorgeous Bethan, with her proud Dad, John. And with the group of closest family and friends now complete, we took a moment to mentally reset, to breathe, relax - before inviting the guests to make the first vows of the ceremony, which they did most enthusiastically and joyfully.
And it transpired that this really was the most perfect space in which to deliver this ceremony. The environment felt so natural and welcoming, it was simple and easy to engage with all the surrounding guests and draw them into the story, and the couple looked delighted with their positioning - as they’d always intended to be seated, but this arrangement meant they could enjoy the proceedings and fully participate without feeling the centre of attention. It was unintentionally so much better than the original plan!
Before long we had our first reading by Deanna, a thoughtful and entertaining piece written from the heart, which set the scene perfectly for a trip down memory lane - from a first date at the Tate, through the university years and learning to ‘adult’ together, as well as reflecting on multiple relocations, adopting their dogs Pixel and Zelda, and an emotional rollercoaster of a proposal!
And that led neatly into our second reading, Love in The Age of Google, written by Brian Bilston and read by Bethan’s Mum Nikki - a piece which suited our couple so very well - and which is a new favourite of ours! Then having reflected on how our couple’s happiest times in life mean dancing around the kitchen with their dogs, or engaging in an epic gaming marathon, this part of the ceremony concluded with the iconic reading I Will Love You Forever from the The Amber Spyglass by Phillip Pullman, a deeply romantic piece read by Conall’s Mum, Karen. And all three readings were superbly chosen, and complemented the ceremony in every possible way.
Bethan and Connall then stepped forward to read their vows to one another, which they had written themselves and which were short, sweet and full of their own brand of humour! Followed by the words to exchange wedding rings, complete with subtle LOTR references and a nod to recognising their unfailing support of one another in everything they do.
Cue kisses and confetti, cheering and clapping, and a big hug with Boconnion’s latest newly weds!
Two days after the ceremony, I received this lovely email, which (unsurprisingly) made my eyes leak a little:
We just wanted to pop you a message to express our HUGEST thanks. We don’t even know where to start. How about with the fact that it was the best ceremony in the entire world?!!! We honestly cannot thank you enough for making our day so special. We laughed. We cried. It was just all utterly perfect. From the very start you just really got us. As you know we were both a bit nervous but you put us so at ease and crafted the perfect ceremony. Thank you so so so so much!!!
I can’t tell you how much it means when brides and grooms send such sweet words so soon after the ceremony - admittedly, I had always felt a tad emotional about Bethan and Conall and their ceremony, because I genuinely felt the privilege in sharing their story - so let’s just say, it means a lot!!
Bethan and Conall also posted this review a few days later:
Lisa was an absolute superstar from start to finish. We were a little bit nervous about the ceremony part of our day but she put us at ease straight away - it was like we’d known her for ages. She really took the time to get to know us and after a lovely coffee and chat put together a ceremony that absolutely nailed who we were as a couple. We just felt like she really got us from the get go.
Seeing Lisa on the day was like seeing a friend and when I was a bit nervous after walking up the aisle she reminded me to breathe when I needed it. As she held our ceremony - people laughed and then cried and then laughed again. Exactly what we’d hoped for. We feel so lucky to have been one of Lisa’s couples and could not recommend her highly enough. She made our day so special and personal and it really wouldn’t have been the same without her. Book her if you get the chance!
Seriously you two - I am the lucky one! Thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you for trusting us and thank you for your generosity and kindness. A better way to end another summer of ceremonies I absolutely could not have wished for.
Thanks too must go to the fabulous Amber at Pink Wave Photography, to Caroline Griffiths who proves time and time again that she is worth her weight in gold and an absolute superstar, and to all the team at Boconnion. Best day ever.
If you are looking to hold a magical celebrant-led ceremony at Boconnion - please do get in touch!
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