Photography Sophie Leak sophieleakphotography.co.uk Venue Nancarrow Farm nancarrowfarm.co.uk
Laura and Ed’s love story started with song. She was studying music at Falmouth University, while Ed – a previous graduate – was making occasional appearances back at the uni. “We spotted each other at a gig in Falmouth, then later met up for a drink and a walk along the coast path in Porthleven,” Laura recalls. “We connected over conversations about music and converting vans!” she laughs.
The couple became engaged while attending Ed’s sister’s wedding in Australia. “Ed suggested a walk in Boranup, a forest full of huge Karri trees near Margaret River,” says Laura. “He waited until we reached a secluded clearing in the trees, then got down on one knee. We both share a love of woodlands, so it felt like a really beautiful place to get engaged.”
Their shared love of natural spaces led them to choose Nancarrow Farm as the rural backdrop for their autumn wedding. “We both love autumn – the leaves, bonfires, oranges and reds, and Halloween – so we wanted the colours to reflect that,” explains Laura.
Styling was a true family effort. Laura’s parents carved pumpkins for the barn, alongside others the couple had grown themselves on their allotment, while sisters and mums came together to create the bunting.
Laura designed the place cards, table plan and signage, and also handmade patchwork outfits for the flower children. The floral brief was “natural and wild, with plenty of autumnal colour,” brought to life with rusty-toned bracken and vivid red anemones.
The ceremony took place in the Rusty Barn, with the doors thrown open to the autumn sunshine. Laura walked down the aisle to Dragon Eyes by Adrianne Lenker – a song the couple played to their daughter Ida moments after she was born. Writing and exchanging personal vows was central to the day, while the atmosphere was intentionally child-friendly. “There were little ones running around, giggling and exploring the barn,” Laura laughs. “It made everything feel so laid-back and light-hearted – a very welcome energy!”
The ceremony ended with the couple walking back up the aisle to The Dream by The Oh Sees, as guests showered them with dried hydrangea petals Laura had collected in bucketloads from her parents’ garden.
Mulled cocktails and canapés followed in the courtyard, ahead of a sharing-style feast of sourdough with smoked butter, wood-fired beef with salsa verde and Cornish potatoes with kale pesto. Ceilidh band, Krelys played acoustic music in the courtyard as guests gathered around the firepit, before leading everyone into the Oak Barn for dancing. “Everyone was keen to get involved – especially the kids – so it was chaotic in the best kind of way!” says Laura.
Their first dance proved another highlight. “It was the first song of our friends’ band’s set,” she says. “Dancing to a live band, as if we were at a gig, felt much more ‘us’ than a traditional slow dance. We got everyone to join in after a few minutes and weren’t sure how raucous garage punk would go down – but it actually went down a storm!” Adding to the fun was Ed’s homemade ‘wedding cam’: a disco-ball helmet fitted with a GoPro, passed around during the ceilidh and capturing some of the most joyful, unexpected moments of the day.
Looking back, Laura offers advice echoed by many couples. “Amongst the busyness of planning a wedding, keep reminding yourself that it’ll be a day full of all your favourite people,” she says. “So however it turns out, it’ll be special.”
Photography Sophie Leak sophieleakphotography.co.uk
Venue Nancarrow Farm nancarrowfarm.co.uk
Dress & For Love from St Ives Bridal Boutique stivesbridalboutique.co.uk
Flower girls’ dresses Faune faune.co.uk
Hair Hair by Emma C hairbyemmac.net
Make-up Suzi Winter suziwinter.co.uk
Flowers Zennor Wild instagram.com/zennorwild
Entertainment Krelys krelys.co.uk
Tinned Fruit tinnedfruit.bandcamp.com
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