The couple first locked eyes on each other at the Worthing hotel where Sarah was general manager. "Doug was a customer; we got chatting and that was that," she says. He asked Sarah to marry him at the top of the Eiffel Tower during a loved-up trip to Paris to see a Supergrass gig.
Opting for a two-day wedding extravaganza, the couple hired Rosewastis Manor in St Columb Major for a week in June to prepare for the celebrations and have fun with their family and friends.
The official marriage ceremony took place on the Friday at Lusty Glaze. Pulling up to the beautiful beachside venue in a vintage bus, the ceremony took place before an intimate gathering of 30 guests. Sarah wore a baby pink dress with a shrug - a find in a local shop in St Columb Major - and carried a pretty pomander of lilac hydrangeas.
After exchanging vows, the newly-weds and guests washed down a selection of nibbles with Pimm's and played on the beach before the bus took them back to Rosewastis. "It was magical," reflects Sarah.
With the legalities done and dusted on the Friday, Saturday saw a bright, beautiful, musical and endlessly personal celebration unfold. Along with their family and friends, the couple collected and crafted an array of decorations, props and accessories to decorate a marquee in the grounds of Rosewastis. The result was a visual feast: paper lanterns, streamers and handmade bunting in all colours of the rainbow really popped against the black and white stripes of the marquee. The tables were brimming with an eclectic assortment of vintage china, teapots, books, candelabras and other junk shop finds. Arranged by friends, vibrant blooms and windmills spilled from various jugs and teapots, while a series of signs made from whitewashed pallet wood were beautifully hand painted by Doug's daughter - and best man - Carmel.
Outside, huge flags made by Sarah and Doug danced in the breeze. There was even a 'secret den' tipi kitted out for the children with toys and a video player: "Don't forget, it's got to be special for them too!" says Sarah.
Sarah accessorised her Lisa Redman gown with a headdress made from vintage pieces and a bouquet featuring a vibrant medley of flowers. Doug, meanwhile, opted for a dapper look complete with a punchy yellow tie and feather buttonhole. Their guests also looked the part: "We encouraged our guests to dress in a country garden/vintage-inspired attire and they really went to town," comments Sarah.
Flanked by her bridesmaids who wore floral dresses, Sarah made her way to the marquee on the arm of her brother. There, their friend Claire conducted a blessing. "She was amazing," enthuses Sarah. "It was a really individual ceremony and she pulled in family and friends to say their favourite things about us like, 'you always know what we need before we do' and 'you are my Monica and Chandler and I will always be your Joey'". Replete with musical and meaningful moments, the couple's friend wrote and performed a song for them, which prompted many tears, and family gathered to sing 'All You Need Is Love' and Thin Lizzy's 'Sarah' as the couple exited the marquee.
A local community marching fiddler band, Bagas Crowd, then led the procession to the house with their Cornish Celtic music. "They played and marched everyone up the hill in between the burst of rain. It was so uplifting," says Sarah. Everyone tucked into an afternoon tea of sandwiches and cakes made by family and friends, while a Punch and Judy show from The Puppetree Company amused guests young and old.
The cocktails started flowing before everyone returned to the marquee for the evening shenanigans. The sounds of local sitar, mandolin and ukulele players lent a chilled, distinctive atmosphere as The Gourmet BBQ Company served up a feast of lamb, chicken, fish and a series of salads; local ice cream served by family and friends from trays made for a mouth-watering dessert.
Live band Sunset ensured the dance floor was full into the small hours. "They played good old rock and pop standards, then, whenever people started to slow down they did an Irish jig - it was magical mayhem!" says Sarah.
"Make it about you both, get friends and family involved and don't be afraid to be different," advises Sarah, reflecting on her wonderful wedding. "For someone who never wanted to get married really, I had the most amazing time. All those people are there to show their love and support and smiles - it's an awesome feeling."
Photography Blooming Photography www.bloomingphotography.co.uk
Venue Lusty Glaze, Newquay (day 1) www.lustyglaze.co.uk
Rosewastis Manor, St Columb Major (day 2) (no longer available for weddings)
Dress Retro Daisy (day 1) www.retrodaisy.com
Lisa Redman (day 2) www.lisaredman.co.uk
Bridesmaid dresses Joy www.joythestore.com
Flowers Ginny's Flowers www.ginnysflowers.co.uk
Catering The Gourmet Barbecue Company www.thegb.co.uk
Marquee Ashley Events www.ashleyevents.co.uk
Entertainment The Puppetree Company www.puppetree.co.uk
Bagas Crowd
Sunset www.perfectpartycornwall.co.uk
Transport Truro Vintage Bus Company www.truro-falmouth-bus-coach.co.uk
Props and decor now available from Little Tin Rabbit www.littletinrabbit.co.uk
Copyright Wed magazine 2013
.jpg)
.JPG)