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Harmony Elmy and Seán Mauremootoo chose an unconventional approach to their wedding, seeking to avoid the typical stress and challenges involved in planning a traditional ceremony. The couple, who reside in Norwich, decided to elope to Cardiff, a city with special significance in their relationship, traveling 261 miles (420 km) for the occasion. Instead of inviting friends and family, they enlisted two strangers they connected with via a Reddit post to serve as witnesses—fulfilling the UK requirement of having at least two witnesses present at the marriage. Seán explained that selecting Ruairi and Sam over acquaintances made for a day that was “easy, natural and stress-free.”
Their wedding day was filled with personal touches, featuring activities and treats they both enjoyed. The couple started by sharing fish and chips on Penarth Pier, then spent time at an escape room—one of their favorite shared pastimes—and took a carousel ride at Cardiff Bay. “It was a day where we really felt like we got to celebrate the love we have for each other—and feel the love from the people of Cardiff,” said Seán, who is 32. For the ceremony itself, the couple walked to the Temple of Peace before having their first dance to “Waterloo Sunset” in a nearby park. The day also included a unique alternative to a wedding cake: they opted for Welsh cakes bought at Cardiff Market instead.
The connection between Harmony and Seán began while both were students at Queen Mary University of London, living in the same halls and taking the same course. Seán remarked, “We never really planned our relationship. Everything just felt natural—from being friends, to dating, to moving in together, even doing long distance.” His proposal incorporated their love of escape rooms by designing a homemade version to pop the question. With this deep and organic bond, they knew a conventional wedding wasn’t right for them, prompting the choice of Cardiff, a place they had visited often during their time living in Worcester.
In the months leading up to the ceremony, Seán posted on Reddit seeking two witnesses, expecting minimal response but instead receiving overwhelming interest. Ruairi and his friend Sam volunteered and were “so accommodating,” as Seán described, even asking about appropriate attire. “As long as you’re not in a wedding dress, you’re fine,” he told them. The couple planned their date, 1 August, well in advance, allowing time to explain their plans to their parents, who were “incredibly supportive.” On their wedding day, the atmosphere was lively, partly due to a Faithless concert nearby, and strangers stopped to congratulate them, making the day feel unexpectedly “glamorous” and heartfelt. The celebrations concluded with dinner at CasaNova, where a gesture from another couple celebrating their 50th anniversary quietly paid for their meal, something Seán described as “incredibly touching.” Reflecting on the experience, the newlyweds said they “wouldn’t change a thing” about their special day, which was marked by perfect weather and the warmth of unexpected kindness from strangers in Cardiff—a city that holds great meaning for them both
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