Clarizza and Alex first met while studying at Loughborough University. “We lived in the same halls of residence and finally got together after a fateful night at the student union!” reveals Clarizza. Years later, Alex proposed at sunset on a hill in Hainault Forest, setting their Cornish wedding plans into motion.
Falling for the enchanting climes of Tredudwell Manor, the couple had a clear vision for their day. “We wanted to keep the decoration simple and keep the focus on the beauty of our Cornish surroundings,” explains Clarizza. “Our main decoration was 1,000 origami cranes, which we made with the help of friends and family – a Japanese tradition that symbolises love and the teamwork required to make a successful marriage.”
Along with the origami cranes, the couple made and borrowed much of the other décor, from Alex’s bespoke stationery design to the bottles and jars collected by friends and family. “It was important to us that many of the decorations could be reused at other weddings or recycled,” says Clarizza.
Conducted by Cornish Celebrants beneath the ceremony temple, the outdoor ceremony was, in Clarizza’s words, “perfect”. “The first thing I saw walking down the aisle with my dad was my brother playing the guitar. I heard his voice crack and it instantly made me cry,’ she says of a particularly memorable moment.
“Seeing my stunning wife-to-be walking down the aisle, being in such a beautiful setting with all our friends and family together… It was a struggle to keep myself together,” confesses Alex. The newlyweds then joined guests at a ‘feasting station’ for a bounty of nibbles, photos and mingling before sitting down for the wedding breakfast.
“It was really important that as much of the food as possible was seasonal and locally sourced,” says Clarizza. Mains – of slow-roasted shoulder of lamb, and butternut squash and beetroot wellington, alongside a medley of seasonal vegetables – were rounded off with his-and-hers desserts in the form of chocolate brownies with dairy-free ice cream and apple and raspberry hazelnut crumble.
An evening of dancing and merriment ensued, leaving Clarizza and Alex looking back in awe at their dream-filled day. “For us, our friends and family being in once place was important, so we wanted each and every person to feel like they were part of our day. Think about what’s actually important to you and concentrate on those,” says Clarizza when asked for her advice.
“Play on each other's strengths,” she adds. “I love a spreadsheet and planning the core things, but I wasn’t overly interested in the details, which Alex was amazing at. All the stationery and decoration came together because of him.”
Photography Albion Row albionrow.com
Venue Tredudwell Manor tredudwell.co.uk
Celebrants Cornish Celebrants cornishcelebrants.co.uk
Dress Blumarine Sposa from Rock & Lace rockandlace.com
Hair Wedding Hair Cornwall by Victoria facebook.com/WeddingHairCornwallByVictoria
Make-up Penny Pascoe makeupartist-cornwall.co.uk
Groom’s outfit Beggars Run beggarsrun.com
Flowers The Garden Gate Flower Company thegardengateflowercompany.co.uk
Catering The Good Food Catering Co thegoodfoodcateringco.co.uk
Cake The Cornish Pudding Co thecornishpuddingco.co.uk
Entertainment Buckwild buckwild.co.uk
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