What started out as the BIG dream wedding, ended up very different for Sara & Ibrahim –
Read how, 3 wedding dates later, we helped these teenage sweethearts finally celebrate their love for each other, surrounded by those who mean the most…
Read how, 3 wedding dates later, we helped these teenage sweethearts finally celebrate their love for each other, surrounded by those who mean the most…
“We met when we were eighteen, we were both working Saturday jobs before going to university!”
The story began the summer before embarking on their university journeys – Sara & Ibrahim, just 18, met at their Saturday job at the local pharmacy in the Welsh seaside town where they both lived.
“we were together 6 years before getting engaged”
When he felt the time was right, Ibrahim knew exactly the perfect proposal for Sara…
“I am not the type of person who enjoys big public displays so it was perfect! We went for a walk along the beach one evening and he got down on one knee!”
of course Sara said ‘YES’ and the exciting wedding planning began, with dreams of celebrating big for their special day!
Everything was arranged, the Hotel was booked and plans made for June 2020 – but then the pandemic hit!
“Originally we were due to get married in a hotel wedding venue in Cardiff in June with 90 guests! We postponed in March to September but we knew in July that a 90 person wedding would not be feasible by September and so we scrapped the whole idea completely!”
With all the original wedding plans cancelled there were a lot of discussions on what to do next!
Sara & Ibrahim decided they wanted to stick to their original dream of getting married in 2020 and set about planning their 3rd wedding date! but now with the added pressure of only having a few weeks to arrange everything, amid ever changing covid restrictions – they had to find a wedding venue and plan a completely different style wedding…
“as you can imagine, planning a wedding within 2 months is stressful, on top of that, trying to plan for every possible eventuality depending on the covid restrictions in place was so difficult, but Sue & Wendy (the wedding team at Gileston Manor) were amazing throughout and supported us all the way, making sure that no matter what option we had to go with, it would still be the most special and beautiful day”
Sara & Ibrahim chose an intimate outdoor Micro Wedding
Under blue skies, set in the beautiful Walled Garden, nestled behind the Manor House on the 9 acre estate, a small number of friends & family gathered to witness the next chapter of their love story…
Sara walked the lawned aisle on the arm of her father, following her 4 bridesmaids, serenaded by the classical sounds of the string trio – Bridge Strings, witnessed by those who mean the most.
“I think it’s important to remember why you are getting married and what is important. For us, it was being together for the rest of our lives and celebrating our love with the ones closest to us – at the end of the day, that is all we really need!“
The wedding breakfast was hosted in the Secret Garden, it was dressed beautifully and was absolutely picture perfect
“I think the situation the world is currently in really makes you re-focus and concentrate on the important things.
We made the best out of a bad situation and we are so glad we went ahead with an intimate Micro-wedding”
Photographer – Aurelia Allen Wedding Venue – Gileston Manor Estate Wedding Dress – All About Eve Bridesmaid Dresses – Debenhams Wedding Denim Jacket – Best Day Ever Flowers – Best Buds by samara Styling – The Luxe Touch Ceremony Music – Bridge Strings Caterers – Cobbles Kitchen Cake – Bella Cakes Wedding Invitations & Stationary – Pumpkin Wedding Designs
by Samantha Vogel
If you would like to know more about getting married at Gileston Manor Estate – Click Here to view our weddings & to download a brochure
