Wedding at Polhawn Fort

Weeklong Extravaganza

Sarah and Richard met while studying at Bangor University in Wales. Sarah introduced Richard to surfing and he introduced her to snowboarding – as Sarah comments, “it was a match made in heaven”. Seven years later, Richard proposed on a Costa Rican beach and Sarah readily accepted.



Not wanting to do things by halves, the couple hired Polhawn Fort for a five-day celebration; they stayed in the spectacular setting from Monday to Friday with their family and close friends.

The modern colour scheme of black, green and white was reflected in the wedding styling, from invitations to the cake. Sarah painted the table names onto driftwood and guest names onto colour-coordinated pebbles, and each table was named after the couple’s favourite surfing beaches in the UK. The magical ambience of the fort was heightened with white fairy lights and draped muslins.



The wedding ceremony was highly personal; the couple wrote their own vows and Richard’s sisters read ‘A Lovely Love Story’ by Edward Monkton. Glorious weather meant the drinks reception could take place on the lawn, while two-piece band ‘The Half Quartet’ provided the music.

The sensational meal started with caramelised onion and parsnip soup, followed by a hog roast and a sweet medley of toffee apple pies and fresh fruit pavlovas for dessert.



DJ Murch took to the decks for the evening and everyone partied till midnight. A perfect performance of Lady Gaga’s ‘Pokerface’ routine by one of the ushers proved a highlight! But the party didn’t stop there. The day after the wedding, all the guests were invited back for a barbecue and karaoke party.



A family friend granted the couple the use of their cottage in the Lake District as a wedding present, so the newly weds enjoyed a week of walking and fishing followed by a weekend at Bovey Castle on Dartmoor.



Richard and Sarah have plenty of advice for couples planning their weddings. “Do as much as you can yourselves – it’s rewarding and unique to do your own thing and can save you a lot of money. Don’t get too stressed – wedding planning isn’t difficult if you stick to your ideas and write a big list that you both have access to.” They add, “But most of all, enjoy it. Stop every now and then to take in what’s going on around you as it goes so quickly!”

The venue
Polhawn Fort
01752 822864 www.polhawnfort.com

The dress
Stevies Gowns from A Day to Remember, Plymouth  
01752 214040 www.adaytoremember.me.uk

The flowers
Purchased from Plymouth Pannier Market and arranged by the bride and family

Photography
Apple Photographic
01637 852762 www.applephotographic.com

Copyright WED Magazine 2010