Real Wedding at Bryher Community Centre

Island Paradise

It was Issy’s multicoloured wellies that first caught Gareth’s eye during a gig rowing session at Truro River Rowing Club. They were friends for a year before romance blossomed.



Not exactly a master in the art of keeping a secret, Issy guessed that Gareth was going to propose months before he popped the question in the Isles of Scilly. “Gareth suddenly realised the holiday was about to be over, asked me where my favourite place was on Bryher and proposed at the top of Great Carn!” says Issy. “We laughed as we walked home knowing I knew all the time!”



Opting against a rigid colour scheme, the wedding was a riot of bright colours, from the vibrant flowers trailing with ribbons to the fuchsia pink shoes Issy teamed with her lace gown. “We wanted everything to look bright and colourful even if it rained...which it did. A lot!”



The couple wed at All Saints’ Church on Bryher, where Issy had been christened. “The church service was my favourite part of the day,” says Issy. “I walked up the aisle with both my mum and dad. The moment I turned up the aisle and saw Gareth and all our friends and family I will never forget.” The newly-weds emerged from the church to a guard of honour by the members of their gig crews.



Served in the beautifully decorated Bryher Community Centre, afternoon tea was a medley of egg mayonnaise brioche rolls, roasted local beef rolls and asparagus rolls with sweet treats such as homemade scones with Bryher jam and clotted cream, cupcakes and meringues.



An iPod disco and photo booth stocked with fancy dress and inflatables provided much amusement in the evening as guests tucked into a hog roast, brownie mountain and build-your-own ice cream sundae bar with St Agnes ice cream.



Issy has plenty of advice for other couples. “Organise an activity the night before. We had a rounders match. It meant all the guests could bond and have something to talk about on the wedding day.”



An assertive planning approach is also advisable: “Stick to your guns about what you want. People look horrified about some of the things we wanted: fake grass centrepieces, Play Mobil bride and groom on the brownies, gin and tonics as welcome drinks, the groom in shorts…but if that's what you want, have it. We had a shared vision of what our day would be like and it was exactly how we imagined!”



The venue
All Saints’ Church, Bryher followed by Bryher Community Centre, Isles of Scilly

The dress
Charlotte Balbier

Photography
David McNeil Photography
07736 843796 www.davidmcneil.co.uk


Copyright WED Magazine 2011