Some weddings are big and bold; others are small but full of heart. Lu and Rueben’s day was the latter - an intimate elopement that was every bit as meaningful as it was funny, emotional, and completely them.

From the start, they told me they wanted something special. Their story is beautiful - full of love, laughter, and those little quirks that make a relationship truly theirs - so the ceremony needed to reflect that balance of deep emotion and playful humour.

Creating a Space Just for Them

One of our first challenges was the space itself. Lou and Ruben hadn’t booked one of ceremony rooms at Bath Spa Hotel, so we planned to hold the ceremony outdoors. That meant we had to think carefully about the setting - we wanted it to feel intentional and beautiful, even without a formal backdrop.

Elopement Ceremony at bath Spa Hotel. Couple reading their personal vows to each other — Make it stand out

Lou & Rueben shared their vows in their native Spanish, written by hand that very morning over coffee. They laughed, they cried, and they poured their hearts onto every word. Listening felt like pure magic - you could hear a pin drop!

We set up a small, elegant table, making sure it reflected their personalities. Of course, it wouldn’t have been complete without a couple of Guinnesses, their favourite drink! I also included a little nod to their pooch, Camilla, with a sweet bone-shaped cushion. Their rings sat in a colourful, dainty box, and the whole table was carefully styled to create something simple yet full of meaning - perfect for their elopement photos and for something that reflected them.

A Ceremony Filled with Meaning (and a Little Tequila!)

Lu and Rueben love good food, good drinks and fun, and we needed their ceremony to reflect this! After chatting about options, we landed on two ideas that suited them perfectly: a tequila shot (because why not celebrate love with a bit of fun and a bit of Mexico (their home country!) and a handfasting ritual - the ancient tradition of “tying the knot.”

I explained the symbolism behind it: two ribbons bound together, representing their unity, love, two families coming together, and the life they’ll build side by side. They absolutely loved the idea, especially knowing they’d be able to keep the tied knot as a forever reminder of the moment.

A Little Bit of Luck and Perfect Timing

The couple had really hoped to say their vows beneath the hotel’s beautiful archway, but on the day, we were told it had been booked for another event that evening. We made peace with that - but just as we were about to begin the handfasting, we realised the arch was free for ten precious minutes!

So, in true “make-it-happen” style, we moved quickly! We shifted the ceremony under the arch, just as Lu and Rueben had imagined it. It was such a spontaneous and completely perfect moment.

Handfasting under a Greek Doric Temple!

The little Greek temple in the gardens at Bath Spa Hotel made the perfect spot for Lou & Ruben’s handfasting. Ancient and a bit magical, it framed the moment perfectly - the dream backdrop for “tying the knot.”

Love, Laughter & Magic

The ceremony couldn’t have been more them! It was heartfelt, fun, emotional, and full of love. Afterwards, they told me it was “magical” and “everything we ever wanted.” Hearing that meant the world.

The wonderful Bert Palmer captured the day beautifully - I’ll be sharing more of his photos soon, but for now, here are a few of my own behind-the-scenes shots and a short video that captures just how special it all was!