'When we met on the first day of university, it was definitely one of those 'I know I've just met you, but I feel like I've known you forever ' where have you been'™ sort of moments,' says Rachael of her immediate spark with Craig.
Their romance led to Craig proposing in Iceland, after the couple had been wild swimming in a hot spring, surrounded by snow. 'Once we'd dried off, we hiked a little way up the mountain. I was taking a photo of the view and when I turned around he was on one knee!' says Rachael.
Opting for the rustic-luxe charm of Trevenna, the couple planned an intimate wedding with nods to their Cornish and Scottish heritage. 'Craig's Manx-Scottish and chose to wear the Isle of Man's blue dress tartan, so we generally kept to muted cool-toned colours of blues and greens,' explains Rachael of the shades they chose, alongside ensuring the venue was 'filled to the brim with flowers and foliage'.
With a 4pm ceremony, Rachael and Craig revelled in every moment. 'I think because it was such a short wedding, everything was really intentional and significant in the nicest way,' says Rachael, remembering sitting down to dinner after canapés and Pimm's as one of her favourite moments.
'A highlight was definitely when we sat down to eat, and people's eyes weren't on us for the first time. We were able to properly take in that we were married!' she says. 'There was a moment between courses where Craig put his hand on mine and smiled, before we looked ahead to see everybody we loved in one room, laughing and caught up in conversation. They were all there for us, we were married and everything was perfect. We felt so loved and valued.'
Feasting on the delicious likes of baked tomato and chilli avocado, roast chicken breast with all the trimmings, homity pie, and spicy cauliflower steak, the meal was rounded off with sticky toffee pudding, and vegan coconut and raspberry mousse.
Memorable toasts and speeches gave way to a party, with evening munchies of pasties, garlic mushroom and thyme pinwheels, and a Cornish cheese board keeping guests' energy levels up for some epic dance floor action.
'I remember the barman telling us that our wedding was the first time they'd ever heard Frank Sinatra and Slipknot played side by side, which made us giggle, and summed us up pretty nicely!' laughs Rachael.
'I think the best advice I received was 'don't be a stranger on your wedding day'. There is so much expected of couples, and so much pressure. If traditional expectations are not in line with your personal tastes, or you don't feel comfortable, don't feel obliged to do them,' says Rachael. 'Trust your instincts ' you won't regret it! Oh, and remember to take a moment to be together alone!'
Venue Trevenna trevenna.co.uk
Dress Jesus Peiro, St Ives Bridal Boutique stivesbridalboutique.co.uk
Kilt Laxey Woollen Mills laxeywoollenmills.com
Hair Hello Gorgeous hellogorgeoustruro.com
Flowers Twigs & Greens twigsandgreens.co.uk
Transport Cars with Style carswithstyle.co.uk
Entertainment John Green Dynamic Entertainments jgde.co.uk
Cake The Cornish Cakery thecornishcakery.co.uk
Stationery Moon & Tide etsy.com/shop/bymoonandtide
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