St Ives was the obvious location for their wedding. "I grew up and work in St Ives so it had to be there," says Caroline. The pair followed their ceremony at Sacred Heart and St Ia Church with a relaxed reception at Porthgwidden Beach Cafe. "It's an intimate venue that is representative of what we love: the beach and great food," says Caroline.
It was only fitting that a beach theme defined the details of their beautiful coastal wedding. Mini silver buckets filled with handmade shell chocolates from I Should Coco doubled as favours and name places, while hurricane vases filled with sand, shells, baby starfish and a white candle made chic table centrepieces. "I tried to do as much as possible myself in order to keep the costs down," Caroline comments.
The bridesmaid dresses carried the pretty palette of rose petal pink, white and silver beautifully, as did the bridal bouquet of white akito roses, freesia and phalaenopsis orchids with a splash of pink at the centre; shells were woven in to extend the seaside theme.
At the reception, guests were greeted on the terrace with pink Prosecco and a selection of canapes, while a local guitarist performed flamenco and Latin music. The delicious menu was chock full of local delights including Cornish sirloin steak with a wild mushroom fricasee, Newlyn cod with pea veloute and a mixed berry crumble with Cornish clotted cream. A buffet was served in the evening alongside an iPod disco with all the couple's favourite songs.
Looking back on her dreamy beachside party, Caroline offers some practical advice: "Have the speeches before the meal. It means that everyone can relax and enjoy their food and also gives guests something to talk about when they sit down to eat." She adds, "Enjoy every little moment and absorb everything. Don't worry about what everyone else is thinking - just enjoy that moment between you and your new husband."
The venue
Sacred Heart and St Ia Church followed by Porthgwidden Beach Cafe, St Ives
01736 796791 www.porthgwiddencafe.co.uk
The dress
Ronald Joyce
The flowers
Wheal Sara Flowers
01736 797788 www.whealsaraflowers.co.uk
Photography
Life Photographic
01209 860101 www.lifephotographic.com
Copyright WED Magazine 2012
