Nine years later, Ben booked a table at a rooftop bar overlooking Trafalgar Square for drinks during a trip to London. "Little did I know what was about to happen!" confesses Tess. "I was taking photos of the London Eye and Big Ben when the waiter presented us with a bottle of champagne that said: 'Tess Rosemary Lydia Rochester, will you marry me?'"
The couple completed "one of the best days of our lives" with a romantic celebratory meal at The Shard while watching the sun set over the Thames.
The stunning realms of 18th-century Manhay Farm provided a fabulous space for their "rustic, mint and pastel" wedding, where a marquee with hay bale seating and striking decor perfectly set the tone.
"I enjoyed making everything for my wedding so much - from bunting to all the handcrafted flowers and favours - that I decided to create a wedding business," says Tess.
Following a personal and heartfelt ceremony at St Budock Church featuring Mabe Ladies Choir and a surprise Guard of Honour by Ben's firefighter colleagues in full uniform, the newly-weds were met at Manhay with the ambient jazz sounds of singer, Sarah Hodder.
Canapes primed tastebuds for the feast that followed, which included peppered pork steak, Cajun chicken, sirloin steak and a salad bar. A trio of chocolate brownies with raspberry coulis, Eton mess and lemon and lime cheesecake provided the decadent endnote.
"Before we knew it, it was our first dance, which was to the song that was played for us when we got engaged, 'A Thousand Years'," says Tess. "Surrounded by all the people we love in one room is really a memory we will never forget."
With an evening menu of pasties, cheeses and chutneys, and a jam-packed dance floor to the grooves of Motown Pirates, Tess and Ben's celebrations continued in a memorable and magical fashion.
"Plan in advance, work together as a team and use a spreadsheet for deadlines and payments," is Tess' practical advice for couples in the throes of planning their wedding.
"Also, you can't plan the weather," she adds. "So plan for the worst and anything better is a bonus!"
Photography Chris Symonds chrissymonds.co.uk
Venue St Budock Church budockchucrch.org
Manhay Farm manhayfarmweddingvenue.com
Dress Amanda K Bridal
Groomsmen's outfits Marc Darcy marcdarcy.co.uk
Bridesmaids Etsy etsy.co.uk
Hair Natalie Savin nvhairdressing.co.uk
Make-up Sarah Keenan sarahkeenan.co.uk
Buttonholes Michelle's Flowers facebook.com/Michelles-Flowers-510637628988727
Flowers Lynda Plimmer & Jo Bennett
Catering Wheal Dream Catering whealdream.com
Entertainment Sarah Hodder
Mabe Ladies Choir mabeladieschoir.org
Motown Pirates motownpirates.com
Marryoke I Do Film Weddings idofilmweddings.co.uk
Copyright Wed magazine 2017
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