Selena's dream of a wedding at Charles's farm meant that both creative vision and a lot of hard work were required to transform a barn into a bona fide wedding venue. But help from good friend and interior designer Kerry Knight from Beatengreen Design ensured its ultimate success.
"The transformation was truly magical and if I am honest exceeded our expectations," says Kerry. "The juxtaposition of the wedding against the rugged backdrop was stunning and a lot of breaths were taken away when guests started to arrive."
"Many elements that went into the wedding came from the farm itself," she elaborates. "This was very important not just to save money but also ensure the honest finish that Selena was looking for. The tables in the arrival area were made by sanding old electrical cable reels, the hay bale seating area and high wall came from the farm, as did the large daisy filled milk churns and massive cast iron planter which was forklifted into the venue."
Royal blue carried through the bridesmaid dresses, groomsmen's ties, Selena's shoes and bouquet of hydrangeas. "I wanted a relaxed country chic feel through the rest of the decor and an easy-going approach to the look," Selena explains, so the barn was dressed in a vibrant array of shades, from the flowers which spilled from jugs, teapots and country-style vessels sourced from car boot sales to vintage wooden chairs in a rainbow of colours.
Their church ceremony was followed by a photo session in the farmhouse and rhubarb field - "our playground in younger years" comments Selena - before a surprise ride to the barn in a vintage tractor.
Kerra's Catering cooked up a storm for the wedding breakfast, which comprised a buffet of salads, pasta dishes, olives and breads alongside a delicious hog roast, and chocolate torte and Eton mess for dessert.
"At 8pm the guests arrived and we had the cutting of the cake and the first dance," says Selena. "This was one of my favourite parts of the day. I took off my veil and put on my birdcage veil. Everyone was relaxed and merry and the band - Sandy Acre 7 - was fantastic!"
In light of her event-planning prowess, Selena advises other couples to actively pursue their wish lists. "Have a plan, be brave with your vision, be very organised until the evening before the wedding, then relax and accept that it will all be fine. Any minor details that don't go exactly to plan do not matter." She adds: Have a key person on the day to be the front of house and let them sort any problems so that you are blissfully unaware and can enjoy your special day!"
Photography Mark Noall www.marknoall.com
Venue St Erth Church followed by family farm
Styling Beatengreen Design www.beatengreen.co.uk
Catering Kerra's Catering www.kerrascatering.co.uk
Whole Hog Catering www.wholehogcatering.co.uk
Dress Phil Collins from Bride! www.brideincornwall.com
Birdcage veil Holly Young www.hollyyoungboutique.com
Hair Hair by Aspire 01736 756801
Make-up Ady Dallyn, Aqua www.aquaskincare.co.uk
Groom's outfit Burton www.burton.co.uk
Flowers Flowers by Clowance www.flowersbyclowance.co.uk
Entertainment Sandy Acre Seven www.sandyacre7.co.uk
Copyright Wed magazine 2014
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