Beth and James have her cat, Cosmo, to thank for their love story – after all, it was through a mutual friend feeding Cosmo while Beth was away that they met. “James messaged one day to see if I fancied coffee,” she recalls. “Coffee turned into dinner, and James never went home afterwards! Six weeks later, he’d officially moved in – and here we are 18 months down the line… married!”
Beth proposed to James in a moment as meaningful as it was memorable. She booked a weekend at Carbis Bay Hotel, her late mum’s favourite spot, as a way to include her in the milestone. Unaware of her plans, James was eager to take a dip in the sea at Kynance Cove when Beth made her move. “Before James could strip off, I mustered the courage to start my speech. He replied, ‘That was cute. Did you rehearse that?’ – still oblivious – and then I dropped to one knee!” she says.
From the Cornish coast to the Devon countryside, The Great Barn provided a stunning backdrop for their bright and beautiful winter wedding. Embracing a Disco Sunset theme, Beth and James filled the venue with a vibrant palette of pinks and oranges. Tables were adorned with bold blooms, while playful stationery included personalised poems for every guest. “It was so lovely to see everyone’s reactions!” say Beth and James.
Glitterballs shimmered from every corner, mirroring the sparkle of Beth’s showstopping gown. “I never wear white,” she explains, “I would have felt so unlike me if I’d gone with something traditional. I absolutely loved twirling in my sparkly dress!”
After a legal ceremony the day before, the couple’s celebrant-led wedding was packed with personal, creative touches. “We wanted our ceremony to feel like a true reflection of us," say Beth and James. Their celebrant, India, crafted a ceremony that told the story of their whirlwind romance. James walked down the aisle with his parents before the couple took part in a handfasting ritual using meaningful fabric provided by family and friends, including James’s school tie and a rope from his grandad’s boat. Espresso martinis were served mid-ceremony, a nod to the couple’s story, alongside brandy snaps in honour of Beth’s mum. Other heartfelt moments included a ring-warming, a singalong to Can You Feel the Love Tonight, and a surprise from James: a hidden choir singing Christmas carols as the newlyweds made their exit. “I love Christmas!” Beth says. “As I turned around, all our guests were holding candles that had been hidden under their chairs. It was truly magical and the best surprise!”
After drinks and canapés, guests feasted on Devon dry-aged beef rump, dauphinoise potatoes and winter vegetables, followed by sticky toffee pudding and dark chocolate mousse. The evening kicked off with Beth and James’s first dance to Accidentally in Love. But Beth’s favourite moment came earlier, when the couple went to see the barn set up for the reception. “The band were playing our song – I Got 3 by Jack Gray,” he says. “We were in awe of how gorgeous the room looked and we danced just the two of us. It was so, so special!”
Beth and James are brimming with advice for other couples – especially those planning on a tight timeline. “You can absolutely plan an incredible wedding in five months – don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t!” they say. “Do as much set-up as you can beforehand, assign jobs to specific people, stay true to yourself and only invite the people you really want there.”
Photography & videography Kim Williams Weddings kimwilliamsweddings.com
Venue The Great Barn thegreatbarndevon.co.uk
Styling Evermore Event Studio evermoreweddings.co.uk
Dress Jenny Packham www.jennypackham.com
Suit Moss moss.co.uk
Hair Brigitte Fisher brigittefisher.co.uk
Make-up Emma Roberts MUA emmarobertsmakeup.co.uk
Celebrant India Bel Ceremonies indiabelceremonies.com
Flowers Emma Hewlett Floral Design emmahewlett.co.uk
Banner Daydreamer Creative Studio instagram.com/daydreamer_creative_studio
Newspapers Photo Press UK photopressuk.co.uk
Napkins & tablecloths 88 Events 88events.com
Candlesticks Candle Flair candleflair.com
Confetti Flutter Darlings! flutterdarlings.co.uk
Entertainment The Distractions thedistractionsband.co.uk
