When Agata and Michael began planning their ‘Magic and Science’ wedding, Agata’s love for Harry Potter, Shadowhunters, and crafting blended perfectly with Michael’s enthusiasm for animals, metal music, and Doctor Who.
“It all became a crazy mixture, like a science experiment,” Agata told us. “I wanted a Shadowhunter wedding ceremony and Harry Potter games and decorations; Michael just wanted to have a good time with family and a metalhead dance-off. We tried our best to meet in the middle.”
Planning during lockdown posed unique challenges, but it also gave Agata the time to delve deep into her creative side. With most guests unfamiliar with Cassandra Clare’s world, they used Harry Potter as the main theme for the reception, even assigning each guest their own Patronus. Each guest received a spray-painted Patronus animal with a joke personalised by Michael. Agata also created a quiz and collected almost all the décor pieces herself.
“I researched Shadowhunter customs and couldn’t find anyone who had done a wedding like this before,” she continued. “Having ADHD and being stuck at home during lockdown, it was challenging for my fiancé to rein in my ideas. I definitely ran off with it and made way too much!”
Agata opted for a solo walk down the aisle, a moment she describes as symbolic of her independence. The ceremony featured adapted quotes from Cassandra Clare’s books, and a soundtrack from the Twilight movies. But not everything went as planned—Agata had intended to sign the marriage documents with a Stele pen (a reference to Shadowhunters), only to misplace it. After some frantic searching, they discovered it wasn’t suitable for the official documents anyway. “It was one of those moments you just have to laugh at,” she said.
Despite the fun of crafting, Agata did encounter challenges within the traditional wedding industry. Dress shopping, in particular, proved very stressful. “I really wanted to have a colourful dress, but it was way beyond our budget to have one custom-made,” she said. “I found bridal stores very ‘size-ist’ and despite most of them advertising a variety of sizes, most dresses were not available in sizes above 12. Most designs were too small for me and couldn’t be tried on until after ordering. It made it very difficult to feel beautiful or confident.” In the end, she found a dress at Wed2b, and a local seamstress altered it.
For Michael, it was the clash between autonomy and outside opinions that stood out during the planning process. “People always say it’s ‘your choice’ because it’s your wedding, but then they proceed to tell you what they would like. It’s irritating,” he laughed. “Pick your battles, as everyone close to you will have an opinion. Choose what is non-negotiable and what details are not so crucial. That way you can let family and friends feel involved without causing too much conflict. Stand up for what you believe in, but if you’re not too bothered about the napkins or flowers, why not let your partner’s mum or an aunt pick them with you? It’s not just about the wedding day but about creating relationships with your families.”
