real wedding – 70s Disco Style with Alternative Wedding Ceremony with Cocktail Making

23 December 2021

It’s not just the decor of the day that was contemporary for Hannah and Chris: they also had an alternative wedding ceremony, including cocktail-making led by Kathryn Hanson.

Yep, you read that right – cocktail making. “We didn’t want vows or written words to each other as we’ve been together for 10 years and lived together for our whole 20s.” Hannah explained. Instead, “We did cocktail making, with meanings attached to each ingredient, which was so much more us!”

With the wonderful Kathryn Hanson at the helm they’d opted for a Humanist wedding. From this point, they built their alternative wedding ceremony plans! Placed next to the top of the aisle was a gold drinks trolley, complete with ingredients and glasses. On Kathryn’s instruction, they both poured bits in, mixed them up, and clinked glasses – before downing their drinks in front of their loved ones.

And of course, we can’t talk about the alternative wedding ceremony without talking about the styling, too. Hannah says their theme was “colourful 70s disco party”. In amongst nude and neutral grasses and pampas, warm pink stems gave pops of bright colour in vases and disco balls on the floor, as well as a floral cloud on a frame. Beneath hung a custom neon sign that read “til death” in hot pink. All of this was positioned at the top of the aisle, with Schivas’ huge floor-to-ceiling glass behind them, and sun pouring in. (Hannah styled the event herself, and the flowers were all done by her mum – a talented family!)

After their alternative wedding ceremony, cocktail-making and all, Hannah and Chris took some time with their photographer for a few portraits around the grounds of Schivas. Hannah stunned in a pearlescent beaded dress from Ivory Grace Bridal, while Chris wowed in an autumnal Walker Slater suit in a deep ochre.

During this time, the room had been turned round: no longer the setting of their alternative wedding ceremony, it was time for the reception! After speeches (where, “despite Chris mentioning in the speech that they were not sweeties, a few people still had a bite of their seedbom favours”) and a delicious BBQ sharing platter from The Pig’s Wings, it was then time for the final act: the disco dance of their dreams.

“We love music and dancing and knew having a DJ that played our favourite funky disco tunes was what we wanted, and that all our friends and family would love it.” Hannah explains. And so that’s exactly what they did!

We’re sure you’ll agree that this 70s disco themed wedding is a total treat, so we asked Hannah for her advice for those currently planning their wedding. “Don’t listen to anyone else’s opinions! Have exactly what you want.” She said. “Remember what the day is all about, but stick together and make the planning fun.”

(And, if you want cocktails at the aisle or other amazing alternative wedding ceremony ideas, get in touch with Kathryn to chat about your plans.)

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