Siân and Tristan celebrate their backgrounds in vintage chic wedding

Sian Clyburn and Tristan Bradley combined Welsh and Canadian influences in their vintage chic wedding.

The London couple, both teachers, met while working in the same school. Tristan, 32, popped the question next to Tower Bridge on Valentine’s Day 2015 to the sound of tourists applauding around them.

When it came to planning the big day, Sian, 34, says it was important to incorporate their own style.

“Our key priority for our wedding was to have a great party to celebrate our love for each other and our background,” she says.

The couple wed at the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, on July 30, 2016 in front of 80 guests. As both her grandparents had been librarians, Sian says the beautiful venue was a fitting tribute.

Celebrations continued in a marquee at Llanerchaeron, an 18th century mansion in Aberaeron.

“It was important for us to have a Welsh and Canadian influence (Tristan is originally
from Toronto and I am from Cardiff),” Sian says.

“The tables at the reception were named after different Canadian and Welsh celebrities. Our ceremony was bilingual to highlight the beauty of the Welsh language.”

Photographer Marcus Sarko, from Marcus Rose Photography, took advantage of the gorgeous Welsh surroundings, avoiding posed shots for a more natural result.

“We shoot a lot in Wales and it’s always a pleasure to see the scenery and meet the people,” Marcus says.

“They didn’t want many posed shots which is something we try to avoid in all our work.”

Photos courtesy of Marcus Rose Photography.

While Tristan, originally from Toronto, had wanted to wear a Canadian tuxedo (denim shirt and jeans), Sian managed to persuade him to wear a navy suit.

For her bridesmaids, Sian chose navy vintage-inspired gowns from Timeless Elegance.

“I wore my mother’s wedding dress that she and my grandmother made for her own wedding in 1980,” Sian says. “I altered the length but kept everything else the same.”

“We have our own style and wanted to incorporate this in our wedding. We did get ideas from friends and family but we mainly trusted our own instincts,” Sian says.