Faye and Ben met through friends over a decade ago, when Faye was living in Sennen Cove after completing her studies at Falmouth University and Ben had returned home to Cornwall after a couple of years in Canada. “Our first few dates were centred around good food – fish barbecues on the beach and cosy café breakfasts,” reminisces Faye. Returning to the location of one of their first dates, Ben proposed in the woods leading to the beach at St Loy. “I had a sneaky feeling when we arrived but it was private, picturesque and perfect!” she says.
Continuing to embrace the great outdoors, the couple began to plan a festival-style wedding with three giant Nordic tipis in a friend’s field. "We wouldn't say we had a theme, it was really just a collection of things we like," explains Faye. Ben, a garden designer, created a relaxed garden within the space, with rugs, hammocks and lots of plants and trees, including an arbutus, olive trees, lavender and herbs.
“The overall look ended up being quite bohemian, with macramé lampshades, antique rugs and plenty of meadow flowers,” says Faye. “We also filled the space with fairground games like a coconut shy and hook-a-duck.”
The couple had travelled to the west coast of Scotland the year before, officially tying the knot with just their parents present. “It was important to us for this ceremony in Cornwall to feel like a continuation of what we had already promised, but at home with all of our family and friends,” says Faye. "Our celebrant, Kim Baker, was the perfect person to lead our ceremony – she is highly organised and had so many ideas to create a beautiful and personal ceremony.”
After their love-filled ceremony beneath the naked tipi, which saw Faye walk down the aisle in a boho-luxe gown and flower crown – “You don't often have the occasion to wear a crown of flowers but being a bride is one of them!” she says – it was time to celebrate with cocktails from The Buffalo, a converted Airstream bar. Settling inside the tipi, where the tables were dotted with pretty blooms and foliage hung from the beams, everyone tucked into a sumptuous meal of low and slow beef brisket or fire-roasted squash, before a dessert of beaten mascarpone, yogurt, honey, lemon, raspberries, mint, almond and praline.
The couple’s first dance, So We Won’t Forget by Khruangbin, was “really special”, thanks to them being joined by their 18-month-old son. As the dancing kicked off, the newlyweds’ guests were treated to a cake of cheese – for the simple reason that “we really love cheese!” – as a DJ played their favourite tunes.
When looking back at their beautiful day, Faye and Ben are filled with joy. “We underestimated what it would be like to have all your friends and family in one place,” says Faye. “That was really special!” And when it comes to advice for others organising their weddings, Faye’s is simple. “Try to enjoy the planning it as much as you can; the day will happen and it will be amazing!”
Photography Katie Goff Photography katiegoffphotography.com
Tipis Sunset Tipis sunsettipis.com
Dress Indiebride London indiebridelondon.co.uk
Hair by Teagan Ruby Hair instagram.com/teagan.ruby
Nails & brows Phoebe at Brow Babes browbabestruro.com
Catering Woodfired Weddings canteencornwall.com
Flowers Rose Valley Farm Flowers rosevalleyfarmflowers.com
Planting design Ben Rigby Designer Landscaper benrigbydesignerlandscaper.co.uk
Celebrant Kim Baker instagram.com/kimhumanistcelebrant
Entertainment DJ Atgani instagram.com/dj_atgani
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