Clare and Ben's Handmade Wedding in Wales

Sometimes the location of a wedding threatens to take centre stage - particularly when the setting i


Sometimes the location of a wedding threatens to take centre stage - particularly when the setting is particularly beautiful.

That's exactly how I felt when I saw these stunning photographs of Clare and Ben's wedding in Monmouthshire, Wales taken by photographer Mark Tattersall. Set in idyllic countryside, with a picturesque old stone church and dazzling countrystyle flowers. The wedding took place in April so it has all the promise of spring.

Clare lives in London but grew up in Monmouthshire and her parents still live in the area. Getting married there seemed like a natural choice to her, it's so beautiful and Ben had also fallen in love with the area. They had 80 guests and the wedding took 11 months to plan.

One of the things I particularly like about this wedding are all the handmade touches Clare incorporated and the fact that she used locally sourced food for her wedding reception wherever possible.

wedding marquee in Wales

Wedding Flowers by Mum!

Clare chose heavily scented flowers for her bouquet and those of her bridesmaids with blue hyacinth, anenome, white freesia, rosemary and fountain grass tied withraffia. The arrangements in the church and marquee were done by Clare's talented mother, who had made a very early morning trip to Bristol Flower Market a couple of days beforehand. The buttonholes for the men were created from a dazzling burgundy hellebore from Clare's mother's garden, which matched Ben's tie.

purple hellebore buttonholesbridesmaids in blue dresses with bouquets

bride walking to church with father of the bride
Clare's dress was by Pronovias - she had wanted something quite vintage looking and I think she achieved this, don't you?

The bright royal blue of the bridesmaids dresses makes the perfect backdrop to a spring wedding (you can find something very similar at Dessy).

The ancient church is simply decorated with country flowers and greenery and you can just feel the atmosphere as Clare walks up the aisle on the arm of her father.

1320 1419 bride walking up church aisle with father bride and groom at altar saying vows bride and groom kiss outside church blue petal confetti

In keeping with the blue theme, confetti made from azure blue petals was given to guests in cones to throw at the couple after the service. The pair then drove off in a classic car to their wedding reception in the beautiful setting of the Brecon Beacons - with a marquee. But that's another story. More on this wedding tomorrow!

bride and groom at reception in classic car