Britt and James had an instant connection. “We met at a wine bar in London and had such a great time that we organised a second date for the very next night!” reveals Britt of their serendipitous meeting.
The proposal was just as spontaneous. “We were visiting my family in Australia when James decided to ask me,” says Britt. “It was so surprising to both of us that he didn’t even have a ring! He quickly made one out of cotton, which I still wear in a locket around my neck, and we had a sturdier one made with an Australian sapphire when we returned to London.”
The stunning setting of Beacon Crag, on Cornwall’s south coast, was the perfect setting for their marquee wedding. “James is half French, half Cornish, and Porthleven is about half an hour from where his grandmother still lives,” explains Britt. As a nod to her Australian heritage, the couple chose a warm palette of deep rusty red and eucalyptus leaves wrapped around the marquee poles to reflect the Australian countryside.
With family flying in from both France and Australia, Britt and James wanted to welcome them ahead of the day in celebratory style, so hosted a special dinner the night before at Porthleven’s Harbour Inn. “It was amazing seeing people from all different areas of my life in the same place,” says Britt. “I felt so touched.”
On the wedding day, rainy weather front threatened to ruin their plans for an outdoor wedding. “We almost moved the ceremony inside, but I remember thinking how annoyed I’d be if we moved it inside and then the sun came out! So we held our nerve, and the weather was perfect,” says Britt.
The ceremony was a deeply personal affair. Britt walked down the aisle accompanied by both of her parents before she and James exchanged their own vows. “It’s something I’ll never forget”, reminisces Britt. “My mother-in-law translated my vows into French so the French side of the family could read them. There were lots of very happy tears. All of the little flower boys and girls were dressed in tiny Cornish fisherman smocks. It was perfect.”
After the ceremony, the couple ventured to the dramatic rocks below Beacon Crag for photos before guests gathered for a marquee reception on the clifftops. The feast included seafood canapés, Cornish lamb, leek and Gruyère strudel, and lemon and chocolate tarts served with Cornish clotted cream. In place of a cake, a croquembouche made a delicious nod to James’ French heritage.
A surprise performance by Britt kick-started the evening festivities. “When I lived in Australia, I was a singer and performer,” she says. “I decided to surprise James by writing and recording a song for him for our first dance, which was pretty magical. We’ll always have that song to remind us of that moment.”
The celebrations continued late into the night with a mix of French, Australian and Cornish music, fuelled by Cornish pasties and ice cream. “I can’t remember the last time I danced as much as I did then!” reflects Britt. “It was so fantastic to see my family and friends dancing together! We ended up going to bed at about 4am!”
Photography The Menagerie Lifestyle Photography themenagerielifestylephotography.co.uk
Venue Beacon Crag beaconcrag.com
Dress Jane Bourvis janebourvis.com
Hair Hannah Toon Hair Stylist instagram.com/hannahtoon.hairstylist
Celebrant Miles Kenchington
Décor Abbotts Event Hire abbottseventhire.co.uk
Flowers Cornish Dried Flowers cornishdriedflowers.co.uk
Catering The Good Food Catering Company thegoodfoodcateringco.co.uk
Ann’s Pasties annspasties.co.uk
Croquembouche Choukette choukettenqy.co.uk
Ice cream cart Jelbert’s instagram.com/jelbertsicecream
Entertainment DJ Services Cornwall djservicescornwall.co.uk
