A Welsh TV programme is looking for couples who intend on getting married for a new series. S4C's Priodas Pum Mil challenges the couple's family and friends to arrange the wedding with a budget of £5,000 while the wedding remains a secret for the couple until the big day.
The popular show has been on our screens for nearly eight years now. For its eighth series, which will start in November of this year, the programme is looking for new couples across Wales to take part. Emma Walford, who co-presenters with Trystan Ellis-Morris, has been on the programme since the very start.
Speaking to WalesOnline Emma explained that they had helped friends and family arrange nearly 50 weddings on the programme so far. The presenter has shared her most memorable moments on the show as well as her best advice for those thinking about taking part in the latest series.
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According to Emma "what you see is what you get" with the programme – including the budget. "It’s been quite a shock for everyone involved in the programmme what a success it has been," she said. "And yet it didn't surprise me because it's such a heartwarming and honest series.
"Personally I think what makes it a success is that everyone on the screen can be themselves. That includes me and Trystan. What you see is what you get. For some being in front of the camera or even planning someone's wedding can be a daunting prospect.
"At times some people on the show have told us they're not sure if their Welsh is any good. But what I hope Trystan and I show is that it doesn't matter. We try our best to have everyone at ease, to enjoy the experience and talk the way they usually do. And more often than not people will tell us at the end of the filming that they've really enjoyed it. It's lovely to see."
She added: "I can tell you hand on heart that we never spend over £5,000. So many people think: 'No way you make it in £5,000', but we have to – that's the premise of the show. The crew are so careful when it comes to paying and getting the receipts to make sure we stay within that budget. Otherwise Trystan and I would be spending way too much.
"It's definitely harder than it was eight years ago, when we started, because so much has happened within those eight years. But it still surprises me how thoughtful and generous businesses and people are. That's what creates that warm honest feel to the show – that generosity."
Despite the budget Emma admitted that they have had their fair share of unique weddings on the programme. Recently Priodas Pum Mil arranged a darts-themed wedding for Donna and Dilwyn, which you can read more about here. Another couple recently tied the knot in Gretna Green in Scotland while in the past another couple had an Alice in Wonderland-themed wedding.
When asked for her most memorable moments of the programme Emma said: "I don’t have a favourite couple – every couple has their own stories and their own personalities. But there are some weddings that have stuck with me.
"We had a couple called Emma and Euron once – they wanted a pagan wedding and they had it at Parc Glynllifon. They had Chris Hughes, who is a druid, leading the ceremony. The ceremony was beautiful, it was so special, and it was so interesting. That was amazing.
"We had another couple called Danny and Nia who wanted to get married during lockdown in May 2020. They are the only couple I have never met. Everything was over Zoom. They got married in their flat – we had to send stuff and decorations over. They would then decorate it themselves.
"We had the singer, Elin Fflur, doing the ceremony over Zoom. And then they had their guests in their own homes and all on their laptops. We made sure that the food reached the guests all at the same time so they could all eat at the same time. That was an amazing experience but it was also so beautiful because even though people couldn’t be together they could still have a really beautiful day. That proved you can plan a wedding, you can create something special, even during such a challenging time.
"We also had a wedding in Vegas – and yes, once again, we only had £5,000 to spend. We only had a small crew with us. We sent the couple out there, they had a couple of friends and a handful of family members – obviously they had to pay for their flights themselves. But it was possible to plan a wedding in Vegas – we even got good deals out there as well.
"As for near-disasters luckily we haven't had anything major. But the most challenging thing at times is the weather. I remember one wedding at Cwyfan Church on Anglesey. The weather was so bad me and Trystan had to lean on the door of the church to make sure it was closed."
But despite the occasional extravagance and the minor mishaps Emma said that one thing remains the same in each and every episode of Priodas Pum Mil – the all-important big day. She said: "The main challenge for the filming crew is that yes this is a TV series but it's also someone's wedding day. You can see it is a TV show but also it’s someone's special day.
"What I have learnt by doing Priodas Pum Mil is that you don't need to spend thousands upon thousands on a wedding. If I were to get married now I would definitely do it like this. I would bring family and friends together and they'd plan it.
"For most of the weddings we've planned the things that have touched the couples the most or brought a tear to their eyes were the fact that their loved ones went the extra mile to arrange stuff and people's willingness to help out. It's that effort they appreciate the most.
"If you have the money then go for it – have a huge party. But at the end of the day, and this might sound a bit corny, if you love each other and want to get married that's what makes it. That's what has become more and apparent with all the weddings that we’ve done over the years. The vows that you make for one another are the most important part. You can keep the rest as extravagant or as simple as you like."
According to Emma the programme has already garnered interest for the new series but they are still looking for more couples to take part, which you can find out more about here. When asked what her advice was for those thinking about saying 'I do' to Priodas Pum Mil she said: "There are a number of reasons why people want to be a part of the show.
"Planning a wedding can be very expensive – that’s one reason people get in contact with us. Another reason is that some people don't like planning weddings at all – they don’t like making decisions or they get overwhelmed by it all. Other people just love the series and want to have that element of surprise. There are a number of reasons why people apply for the show.
"I can promise 100% that we will do everything within our means to do anything they want. We will go out of our way to make sure that’s possible. Some people think: 'Is it like Don't Tell The Bride?' and I'll say: 'No, it's the complete opposite to that'. With this show we want people to have their perfect day – we don’t want the drama.
"If you go for it just make sure that you have family and friends that are more than happy to do the work. What’s lovely for the couple is that me and Trystan meet the couple, they tell us what they want, and then it’s up to us and their crew to make it work. It’s a lot of fun, a lot of laughter, and a lovely wedding at the end of it."
