Though Grace and Ryan had known each other since their college days, it wasn’t until an unexpected reunion years later – after both had moved away and travelled the world – that something just clicked. “I was actually on a Tinder date with someone else,” laughs Grace. “I was at the bar, turned around – and Ryan was standing right next to me! We couldn't believe that we were both back in Cornwall.” They caught up briefly and Ryan asked for her number. “He texted me that same evening – and we went for coffee the very next morning!”
Their story unfolded beautifully from there, culminating in a proposal that was simple, thoughtful and deeply personal. “Ryan picked me up from work and took me to our favourite bench overlooking the river at Malpas,” she recalls. “We sat down and before we had a chance to say anything, Ryan dropped to one knee and asked me to marry him. He’d even arranged for our parents to meet us and have a toast, which was just so special.”
The couple chose Potager Garden as the backdrop for their botanical-meets-rustic celebration. Having already legally married at Truro Resgistry Office, Grace and Ryan hosted an intimate blessing led by her uncle with 50 of their closest family and friends in attendance. Grace’s entrance – walking behind her sisters and daughter as bridesmaids, arm-in-arm with her father to Fleetwood Mac’s Landslide – was a standout moment. The couple exchanged their own vows and Grace's best friend performed a handfasting ceremony. “When we were declared husband and wife, we kissed beneath an arch wrapped in eucalyptus and dahlias, then walked hand-in-hand back down the aisle to Leon Bridges’ Smooth Sailing,” shares Grace.
After a celebratory toast with their guests, the newlyweds slipped away for a romantic couple’s shoot on Grebe Beach. “It was such a lovely part of the day where we got some time to ourselves to take everything in,” she reflects.
Back at the greenhouse, guests were welcomed by the upbeat joy of Nat King Cole’s This Will Be, setting the tone for the wedding breakfast. A vibrant, Middle Eastern-inspired feast was served family-style including wood-fired summer vegetables, homemade falafel, flatbreads, harissa, tabbouleh and tahini. A Sicilian lemon tart offered a zesty, sweet finish.
Later, acoustic artist James Dixon set the scene for the couple’s first dance to The Girl by City and Colour. "It's a song we both love," says Grace. "Our two-year-old daughter sat at the front swaying her head to the music - it was very special!" The evening celebration ramped up with a silent disco – a crowd favourite. “Ryan loves his emo music, so we had a whole a channel purely for that,” she says. “There was something for everyone! Seeing guests of all ages letting loose and partying with us was amazing!”
The night ended in the most romantic way: champagne in the hot tub back at Tresooth Cottages in Mawnan Smith. “What a way to end the day!” smiles Grace.
For couples planning with a shorter timeline, Grace offers practical advice: “It's not always possible, but we got married on a Monday. We were only engaged for five months, and having a weekday wedding saved us lots of money. Plus, most of the suppliers we wanted to use were available. Guests still had the weekend to travel, so it worked out perfectly.”
Photography U Got the Love ugotthelove.com
Venue Potager Garden potagergarden.org
Jumpsuit Vinted vinted.co.uk
Suit H&M hm.com
Hair Zebrafinch zebrafinchhair.co.uk
Make-up Seija Richards facebook.com/seijarichards
Bouquets Only Flowers instagram.com/onlyxflowers
Table flowers Yana James Mills and Rose Valley Farm Flowers rosevalleyfarmflowers.com
Tableware Abbotts Event Hire abbottseventhire.co.uk
Cake The Imaginary Bakery theimaginarybakery.com
Entertainment James Dixon jamesdixonmusic.com
SSSSilent Disco ssssilentdisco.co.uk
