Leah and Mark skipped the aisle, the first dance, and the traditional vows to host a “fake wedding” that prioritized fun over formality. The couple married on Leah’s 30th birthday with only six ceremony guests, a mishmash of DIY decor, and competitive bingo. They wanted a celebration centered on their favorite people rather than following a script. “I got to spend the day with all my favourite people,” Leah said.
Leah and Mark used a loose theme of retro Las Vegas weddings and bold colors to connect their day. They avoided tight constraints in favor of a relaxed, colorful atmosphere. The couple’s decision-making process was simple: they removed anything that made them nervous. “Anything that the thought of it made us nervous we scrapped!” Leah said. This approach allowed them to build a day around genuine excitement instead of obligation.
Leah often feels anxious when being center of attention, so she arranged the chairs in a semicircle. There was no aisle, and they began the ceremony the moment everyone was gathered. They chose the shortest legal ceremony option and stuck to the required words. “I hate being perceived,” Leah laughed. “I love to have fun but mingled in the crowd.”
This anxiety-driven planning extended to the reception. They skipped the first dance because it felt too formal and disrupted the night. Instead, they hosted a game of bingo. Guests took the game seriously, getting competitive over silly prizes. Mark and Leah prioritized keeping the energy up and ensuring everyone had a great time.
Handmade Details and Budget Savings
Custom and DIY details ran through the entire celebration. Leah’s outfit combined a Rara Couture blazer and belt with a skirt handmade by her mother. For the reception, she changed into a second-hand Self-Portrait dress bought from another bride on Vinted for £100. She added her own embellishments, while her mum made the matching cape. Leah also made her bag and found a pair of Louis Vuitton shoes on Vestiaire Collective for £180. Mark wore a suit he already owned, followed by an evening shirt handmade by Leah.
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Family members contributed to the handmade aesthetic. Leah’s sister made the wedding cake as a gift. Her mum created the bouquet and larger floral pieces, which were made from dried flowers to allow for early preparation. Leah used a Cricut machine to produce stationery, mirror decals, and personalized details for pyjamas, cups, and gift boxes.
The amount of labor saved money. Leah calculated that paying herself minimum wage for the hours involved would have added more than £3,000 to the budget. Despite the DIY effort, she hired Orange Tree Weddings to handle the reception setup. “Even if you’re having a DIY wedding I can’t recommend having something do the set up enough,” Leah said.
Janie from Orange Tree Weddings supported Leah’s vision and her crafting habits, often hyping her up via Instagram DMs at 2 a.m. Guests were in awe of the reception venue, particularly the ceiling draping, which Leah described as 1000/10. Live music was the couple’s biggest expense. They found a band, Breaking News, through Entertainment Nation after seeing them via Rock n Roll Bride. The additional cost paid off, as guests still talk about the performance afterwards.
Leah and Mark’s unconventional approach gave them everything they wanted from a real wedding. They legally married, spent the day with their favorite people, and crafted a celebration around things they genuinely enjoyed. “People WILL be confused you’re not doing traditional things, but often people say they wish they did that too!” Leah concluded. “So many people told me they wish they didn’t do a first dance but felt like they had to. My top tip is to tell people your plans with confidence, they seem to question less when you’re super excited and matter of fact about your decisions.”