Real Wedding Venue Bath: Ciaran and Sami’s rustic big day

Ciaran and Sami first met when they both worked at Morrison’s Supermarket. “I was Ciaran’s supervisor, eight years ago,” says Sami. “For our first date, we went to get a milkshake at a McDonald's drive-through. Romantic!”

A seaside proposal

Ciaran proposed at the couple’s favourite place, Durdle Door Beach in Dorset. “It was September 2018 and we were on top of one of the cliffs,” says Sami. “I was looking at a boat out at sea and when I turned round he was on one knee. He was so nervous, he didn't actually ask me to marry him. He just made a funny noise and I said, ‘Yes!’. The sun came out just at that moment and it was beautiful. Unfortunately, we then had to postpone the wedding twice due to Covid, but it was worth all the stress and tears to eventually get our amazing day.”

Shopping for the perfect dress

Sami found her dream dress at WED2B’s Bristol store. “My experience at WED2B was the best and I felt so special,” she says. “I tried on about seven dresses before finding Andrea, which I fell in love with straight away (for similar styles try Jessie, Brooklynn or Marko). I didn't know if I wanted a fitted or floaty style but this dress had both and I felt so bridal wearing it. The neckline was different and very pretty and the button back was my favourite part. The lovely lady who helped me added a belt and a veil and then I knew this was the ‘The One’. I felt like the most beautiful bride in my dress!”

A dream wedding venue Bath

“We got married in the watermill at Priston Mill near Bath” says Sami. “It was the only wedding venue Bath we looked at, as we fell in love with it immediately. The grounds are so beautiful and relaxed and we always wanted a rustic feel to our wedding. It was so intimate and special. All our guests were blown away by how pretty it was. Every time we drove down the little lanes to get there I got butterflies. So, it was such a great feeling arriving there on the actual day!”

The big day

The couple married on 28th July 2021. “My dad, Richard, walked me down the aisle,” says Sami. “We were inside, due to the weather, but it was so special and couldn't have been better. We had rain for most of the day but our amazing photographer got some lovely shots in the sun. You would never know it was going to pour down five minutes later! After the ceremony we had cocktails and canapés, followed by our lovely confetti shot and photos. Then everyone sat down for the wedding breakfast.”

Made with love

“I was very much a DIY bride and made biscuit wedding favours and our own Polaroid camera photo booth,” says Sami. “We also made our own Spotify playlist for the wedding music and we decorated the venue ourselves. It was so personal and made us so happy on the day.” 

"We had a rustic theme with lots of lanterns and candles, as well as glass bottles filled with flower stems and plenty of fairy lights."

"The cake was a naked, three-tier cake covered in fruit and fresh flowers. It was our dream cake. We also had a doughnut wall, which went down a treat.” 

It’s party time!

“In the evening there was a live band and they really made it into a party,” says Sami. “They were incredible and everyone was on the dance floor all night. One of our favourite parts was being on the dance floor, looking around at all our friends and family dancing and singing with us, and just living our best lives. It make me cry thinking about it. It was so special.”

My top tips…

“Do what makes YOU happy, don't try to please everyone,” says Sami. “The day is about you and your groom. All the small details you might stress about will not matter on the day. Take in every moment, too. And make sure you eat some of your wedding cake!”