Ana matched with Andy on a dating app back in 20190 and the pair started bonding via a series of messages while Ana was away on a holiday. “By the time I'd returned to London and we met for first date, we already felt a really strong connection and it all flowed so naturally, as if we had known each other for a long time,” she says.
On New Year’s Eve 2022, the couple were in a park in Madrid when Andy asked Ana to read out the goals he had written down on 31st December the previous year. “His last goal was ‘to get engaged’. It took me by surprise and, when I looked at him he had a beautiful ring and asked me to marry him – cue the tears!” she says. “It was a very sweet, romantic and personal proposal, and I loved that he had planned for it for a whole year!”
Focusing on a “relaxed and romantic day” in the stunning setting of Polhawn Fort with just their closest family and friends, the couple planned a Cornish and Spanish celebration, in a nod to where they hail from. “We tried to mix in details from both our backgrounds and added vintage and retro touches alongside a colour scheme of antique rose, blush, white and accents of burgundy, sage green, copper, burnt orange and gold,” says Ana. The Cornish coast also featured in the décor, with beach slate place names and seashell candles, whilst the guest book was a vinyl record on a vintage record player.
On the morning of the wedding, the couple opted for a ‘first touch’. “We stood at either side of a door, without seeing each other, and held hands while reading a card that we wrote to each other,” explains Ana. “It was very emotional and made us even more excited to get married.”
The ceremony took place in the gardens, with the sea as their backdrop. “The best men handed out wedding newspapers to each guest containing the ceremony readings translated into both English and Spanish,” says Andy. Ana walked down the aisle to a song that Andy had specially recorded before they exchanged personalised vows – “one of our favourite moments of the day”, she recalls. Confetti and cocktail hour followed, with guests entertained by a live illustrator, Spanish guitarist and an epic grazing table. “We had a gorgeous feast of cheeses, meats, fruits and nuts from Cornwall and Spain, as a representation of both our backgrounds mixed together.”
The wedding breakfast was enjoyed alongside the speeches; a part of the day that really stood out for the newlyweds. “Andy’s speech was emotional and heartfelt, and his best men's speeches were hilarious,” says Ana. “The entertainment continued with a photo booth and game of Mr & Mrs before the happy couple took to the dance floor to What in the World by The Bros Landreth. “We had only prepared a couple of moves, but they worked out and it was a beautiful moment!” she says. The couple continued into the small hours.
Ana and Andy have a plenty of advice for those who are planning their own weddings. “Invite only the people you would absolutely love to see there, to hug and party with!” she says “The energy that you bring as a couple is the energy that the whole day and the guests will have! Don't be afraid to be emotional and silly and to dance like crazy!"
Photography Louise Eleanor Photography louise-eleanor.com
Venue Polhawn Fort polhawnfort.com
Dresses Wed2B wed2b.com ASOS asos.com
Accessories Medze Bride instagram.com/medzebride
Suit Moss moss.co.uk
Hair Arena Hair arenacreativehair.co.uk
Flowers Bloom Street bloomstreetflorals.com
Catering & grazing table Cornwall Chef cornwallchef.com
Evening food Cornish Pod cornishpod.co.uk
Newspapers The Crafty Lab thecraftylab.co.uk
Ribbons Olive Lane olivelane.co.uk
Confetti Flutter, Darlings! flutterdarlings.co.uk
Photo booth Birdie & Co birdiecampervan.com
Entertainment Mark Barnwell markbarnwell.com
Jade Kelly jadeillustrates.co.uk
The Elevation theelevation.co.uk
Transport Kernow Cars kernowcoaches.com
Videography Blooming Moments Films bloomingmomentsfilms.com
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