Photography Mark Shaw markshawphotography.co.uk Venue Caerhays Estate caerhays.co.uk
Tegan and Jordan’s story began in her university halls, where two of Jordan’s oldest friends decided to play matchmaker. “When he came to visit, every time he spoke to me the room seemed to magically empty until we were conveniently left alone to talk,” laughs Tegan. “Our matchmakers’ plan worked and we spent that whole weekend by each other’s side. We’ve been inseparable ever since.”
Some years later, Jordan proposed on a secluded trail in New York’s Central Park. “We’ll always have the fondest memories of that trip, filled with bagels, Broadway shows and sightseeing in our newly engaged bubble,” says Tegan.
The couple fell in love with the spectacular setting of Caerhays Estate's Beach Meadow, where sea views, rolling countryside and the castle’s flower-filled gardens created an enchanting backdrop.
Their shared love of J.R.R Tolkien’s The Hobbit inspired by styling, with the green pastures of the Shire reflected in a palette of sage, olive, peach and soft pink. Seasonal May blooms filled the marquee, crowned by a breathtaking floral chandelier. “Our welcome and seating plans signs were painted by my uncle using Tolkien-inspired lettering,” says Tegan. “Long feasting tables, masses of flowers and different shades of green inspired the outfits for our ushers and bridesmaids.”
Foraged sea glass and shells decorated the tables, while handmade frames displayed treasured family photographs on a memorial table. Fairy lights and candlelight completed the romantic, whimsical atmosphere.
On the glorious May afternoon, Tegan walked across the Beach Meadow with her father to Ben Folds’ The Luckiest from their favourite film, About Time. “Jordan and I just couldn’t stop smiling and crying," she says. “It felt so dreamy and cinematic.”
The couple exchanged personal vows, only to discover they had unknowingly expressed many of the same sentiments. “We couldn't believe how similar they were,” says Tegan. Jordan agrees: “Hearing Tegan’s vows was my favourite moment because they summed up exactly how I felt.”
A shower of dried rose petals, lovingly prepared by family members, created a picture-perfect moment overlooking the sea before guests gathered in the marquee for a bespoke sharing feast inspired by the couple’s favourite flavours and Jordan's Moroccan heritage. Cooked over wood-fired grills, the menu featured socca bread, steak bavette and corn tacos, followed by smoked chicken with pomegranate barbecue sauce, sumac and seasonal sides. Dessert combined crème brûlée and pavlova with burnt sugar, raspberries and rhubarb. “We loved knowing no one else would ever have exactly the same menu,” says Tegan.
Golden-hour portraits around Caerhays Castle and Porthluney Beach gave the newlyweds a chance to soak it all in before swapping a traditional cake cutting for a playful Krispy Kreme “Lady and the Tramp” doughnut bite, a nod to Jordan bringing doughnuts to Tegan every weekend at university. Their first dance to Kacey Musgraves' Heaven Is launched an evening of celebration, complete with a Mr Whippy van, a photo booth and a packed dance floor.
For Tegan and Jordan, however, it was the sentimental touches that lingered longest. Tegan’s sister-in-law handmade her veil, Jordan carried his mother’s ashes in his wedding ring and Tegan wrapped her late grandmother’s embroidered handkerchief around her bouquet. The couple also wrote a handwritten letter for every guest, sharing favourite memories and the qualities they loved most about each person. “We had so many people say that this was their favourite touch of the day,” says Tegan. “We wanted everyone to know how much we love them and how grateful we were to have them there.”
Looking back, their advice is simple: stay together. “We mingled together, danced together and kept stealing little five-minute moments to soak it all in," says Tegan. “Focus on what feels meaningful rather than what’s on trend. If something made us emotional during the planning, we knew it belonged in our wedding. I love the thought that our guests left feeling they’d been part of something deeply personal.”
Photography Mark Shaw markshawphotography.co.uk
Venue Caerhays Estate caerhays.co.uk
Marquee Sperry Tents sperrytents.co.uk
Dress DAMA Couture from LUMI lumi-bridal.co.uk
Alterations The Sewing Lady sewinglady.co.uk
Suit Cornwall Suit Room cornwallsuitroom.com
Hair Hair by Emma C hairbyemmac.net
Make-up Isabelle Grace Make Up isabellegracemakeup.com
Flowers Anna’s Flower Barn annasflowerbarn.co.uk
Catering Woodfired Weddings canteencornwall.com/woodfired-weddings
Bar Bushen Bars bushenbars.co.uk
Ice cream van Delicious Wishes instagram.com/deliciouswishesicecreamco
Tableware Abbotts Event Hire abbottseventhire.co.uk
Toilets South West Loos southwestloos.co.uk
Photo booth Flicksbox flicksbox.co.uk
Entertainment DJ in Cornwall djincornwall.co.uk
