Opting for a ceremony in the beautiful church of St Neot close by, Ashley and Paul set about planning their relaxed celebrations in the countryside. "I wanted a dreamy, ethereal day," she says. "But as I love pretty, pastels crept in too! I very much wanted to balance pastel pretty with a magical, ethereal, woodland feel so that it didn't become too saccharine." She poured her efforts into creating a spellbinding setting, filled with handmade details.
Trevenna was veritably bursting with blooms. Vintage bottles lined the tables with local stocks, glass hurricane vases containing candles and moss formed the centrepieces and milk churns were filled with hydrangeas, roses and pale yellow narcissi. Meanwhile, wooden signs were scattered around the venue and fairy lights adorned the ceiling, while the leading colours of pale pink, mint and cream were picked up in the paper pompoms, cake decorations and garlands that Ashley had made.
From the decor to the dress, every element was carefully coordinated. Ashley's ethereal gown was combined with a bespoke veil, Jenny Packham earrings, Rachel Simpson shoes and a big, blousy bouquet. A vintage forget-me-not pin and her late grandmother's engagement ring completed the combination of lovingly old and fashionably new. Sporting similarly striking style, Paul donned a dapper suit in airforce blue.
Country and Cornish were two key aspects of the day, and Ashley and Paul were keen to provide a locally sourced feast full of Cornish flavour, from Cornish Orchards' Blush Cider to Cornish sea bass and lamb as well as a tower of local cheeses. Brimming with the likes of rosewater cupcakes, gold lustre rocky road and naked Victoria sponge, the cake table was a vision of sweet decadence.
From the choir who performed during the church ceremony and carefully chosen music to live band Jessica and the Rabbits, who ensured guests grooved the night away, the entertainment was similarly satisfying.
"Listening to the choir as we signed the register was magical, and seeing my dad and the children waiting for me at the church was fabulous," says Ashley of her most memorable moments. "I thought I'd be so nervous, but I couldn't wait to get to the end of the aisle to see Paul! I hadn't given much thought about how it would feel to have everyone we love around us: it was wonderful."
"Make sure you relax the night before," she advises brides-to-be. "My mum and one of my bridesmaids and I went and stayed in a hotel and it was the most fun night. I'd been so stressed for weeks but I relaxed and started to feel excitement not terror!"
Photography Luna Pics www.lunapics.com
Venue St Neot Church followed by Trevenna www.trevenna.com
Bridesmaid dresses Jarlo from ASOS www.asos.com
Flower girls' dresses Monsoon www.monsoon.co.uk Next www.next.co.uk
Groom's outfit Reiss www.reiss.com
Pageboy suit Marks and Spencer www.marksandspencer.com
Hair Hair Bliss www.hairblisstavistock.co.uk
Flowers Amanda Randell www.amandarandell.com
Stationery Swoon at the Moon www.swoonatthemoon.com
Entertainment Jessica and the Rabbits www.jessicaandtherabbits.com
Copyright Wed magazine 2014
