“We met on a University of Exeter ski trip to Val Thorens,” says Lowenna of the beginnings of her love story with Harry. “We spent the next two years travelling between Bristol, where Harry worked at the time, and Exeter, whilst I finished my degree, before both moving to London.”
“I used the guise of my birthday in December to hide my plans to propose, which also happens to be Lowenna’s favourite time of year,” reveals Harry. A Christmassy day out in the capital eating, drinking “and wondering the Christmas-light-filled streets of London wrapped up in our winter coats” led to a fireside proposal after a game of backgammon in their beloved home.
The couple knew that Cornwall was their dream wedding destination, and unbeknownst to each other, had both been secretly scouting venues prior to their engagement. “We revealed to one another that we thought we had found the perfect venue and it turned out that we had both been looking at Nancarrow!” says Harry. “It is not only in a stunning location and has a great aesthetic, but had an incredible food offering and ethos,” he explains.
Their choice of wedding date – the autumn equinox – inspired many of their decisions and led to a “relaxed autumnal aesthetic with lots of florals, candles and earthy tones such as peach, soft pinks, rust and greens”, says Lowenna. Décor took the form of small ceramic bud vases filled with posies, gold candlesticks filled with soft dusky pink and peach dining candles and knotted oatmeal linen napkins. Meanwhile, the flowers featured delicate cafe au lait dahlias, anemones and lots of greenery – along with a statement hanging installation – to create “a natural undone look with high impact”.
The ceremony presented "perfect" readings, one of which was written by Lowenna’s sister and read by Harry’s twin sister, before the tear-filled vows with the help of their ring-bearer nephew. “We exited to the strings playing I Believe in a Thing Called Love by The Darkness with the biggest smiles on our faces,” reminisces Lowenna, who then enjoyed champagne and canapés in the courtyard with her husband, friends and family.
The feast – one of Lowenna and Harry’s top priorities – comprised starters of lobster ravioli followed by sharing-style new season lamb with wood roasted celeriac, wild mushroom and puffed barley; pressed potato, truffle and old Winchester cheese; and bound garden greens with roasted shallots and buttermilk dressing. Choux bun, chocolate, crème fraîche, and stout and spent grain completed the mouth-watering banquet. “We could not get over how incredible the food was!” enthuses Harry.
An atmospheric cocktail hour amidst a carnival of twinkling lights was followed by the couple's first dance to Thinking of You by Sister Sledge, with slow-cooked wood-fired beef and homemade flatbreads, served between the dance-floor-packed sets from live band The Soul Strutters.
“It was so magical walking into the wedding feast to all our loved ones standing, swinging their napkins and cheering – it was pure elation – they were so loud that it drowned out our entrance song, which we took weeks deciding on!” says Lowenna of her favourite moment from the day. Her advice is sound. “Try to enjoy the planning and take it all in,” she recommends. “Keep true to yourselves and the vision that you have – and don’t be afraid to stray away from tradition.”
Photography The Chamberlins thechamberlins.co
Venue Nancarrow Farm nancarrowfarm.co.uk
Dress Harriette Gordon from The Fall Bride thefallbride.com
Suit Beggars Run beggarsrun.com
Hair Hairbyemmac hairbyemmac.net
Make-up Stacey Louise staceylouisemakeupartist.co.uk
Flowers 3acreblooms 3acre.co.uk
Entertainment The Cornwall Quartet thecornwallquartet.co.uk
The Soul Strutters soulstrutters.co.uk
Fistral Stereo fistralstereo.com
Videography Noah Werth noahwerth.co.uk
