Three and a half years later, neither could forget their fortuitous meeting. "We finally decided we had to see each other so I flew to England to see him," she says. "When he finally came to visit me in America four months later we decided to get married!"
The couple held their wedding in Andy's village on the Rame Peninsula. Having legally married a year earlier, they staged an outdoor pagan hand-fasting to celebrate their union. The pre-sunset ceremony took place before a handmade altar overlooking the breathtaking landscape.
Amanda's mum made her beautiful bespoke dress, which featured delicate lace cap sleeves, an open back, satin buttons and secret pockets. She completed the look with a pair of French blue lace-up riding boots. Andy's outfit was similarly standout, comprising vintage pieces, such as a corduroy blazer, dusty blue waistcoat, satin bow tie and straw pork pie hat, collected everywhere from LA to London.
After the ceremony, the party moved into a big top tent, which was filled with rustic, eclectic and bohemian elements that typified their country vintage theme. "The wedding was very colourful and whimsical - French blue, blush and ivory were the most predominant colours but we just selected things that coordinated well without being at all uniform," explains Amanda. Friends and family pitched into help make the details and style the tent with Indian tapestries, paper lanterns, wildflowers spilling from mismatched bottles, Moroccan-style lounge areas and chandeliers made from up-cycled fabrics.
Guests tucked into mini Cornish pasties, a hog roast and array of sweet delights, including homemade brownies, a candy buffet and show-stopping wedding cake made by Andy's mum. Bar Rambla designed drinks named after Amanda (The Cheeky Ginger) and Andy (The Hairy Hombre), which "added a fun touch to the ceremony and were a big hit with the guests!"
A live music showcase featuring performances by a group of friends ensured the entertainment was filled with personality. DJ Joe Scott then played a blend of electro-swing, dub and dance music, keeping the dance floor packed all night.
"One of our favourite moments was when we were both singing together on stage with a group of our friends," reveals Andy. "It was beautiful to perform a song so close to our hearts and have all our nearest and dearest singing along. The main line of the song is 'home is wherever I'm with you' and performing it in that moment - with so many people who have been there for us since our journey started five years ago - really made me realise that our dream has finally become a reality."
Photography Alan Law Photography www.alanlawphotography.co.uk
Venue Maker Heights, Millbrook www.makerfestival.co.uk
Tables and chairs Virginia's Vintage Hire www.virginiasvintagehire.co.uk
Bridesmaid dresses Free People www.freepeople.co.uk
Make-up Elite Hair and Beauty www.elite-hairandbeauty.co.uk
Bar Bar Rambla www.barrambla.co.uk
Copyright Wed magazine 2014
