Intimate wedding at Lower Barns, Cornwall

Basing their wedding around a "something different" concept, Karla chose Lower Barns, a venue packed with character to reflect the distinctiveness of their day. "I fell in love with the style, the bright colours and the wonderful way it was decorated," she explains. "I could never see myself walking down a church aisle so when I saw the Wed Shed I knew I had to say those important words in something so unique and funky! What I loved about Lower Barns was that it didn't matter how many times you walked into a room, you always saw something different each time."

Selecting a pale yellow, royal blue and white colour scheme, Karla used a mismatch of items and ideas to decorate the venue, admitting: "The wedding day was the first time I saw all the designs put together, so it was a relief they all complemented each other!"

Champagne and homemade canapes greeted guests post-ceremony, which was followed by a barbecue of chicken, salmon steaks and homemade burgers alongside a selection of fresh bread and mixed salads. Fresh fruit pavlova and sticky toffee pudding provided the sweet endnote, followed by a five-tier mixed cheese wheel cake. The Party Shack provided the atmospheric space to dance the night away as the newly-weds celebrated their union with family and friends into the small hours.

A few days later, Karla and Mark continued the festivities with their very own mini festival at Puckator Farm, which they dubbed 'Purtill Pride'. With live music, a bouncy castle, hook a duck and a tin can alley - with prizes - the couple really brought the fairground vibe to their celebrations. The festival-goers devoured chilli nachos, hot doughnuts, candyfloss, popcorn and burgers, and the couple even created event tickets as invitations, as well as wristbands and lanyards to give it a real festival feeling.

"My number one tip is stick with an idea!" says Karla. "If you like something, go with it; don't keep changing your mind as this wastes time and you run the potential of not making something as fabulous as it could be. Don't be influenced by other people's ideas. It's your day, your decision and your memories. If you like it, that's all that matters." And, she adds: "Don't forget to have fun with the planning! It's exciting going to meet suppliers, seeing venues and choosing dresses!"

Dress Prudence Gowns prudencegowns.com

Groomsmen's outfits Next next.co.uk, Moss Bros moss.co.uk

The Tie Store thetiestore.co.uk M&S marksandspencer.com

Bridesmaids' skirts Amy Abernethie

Bride's hair & make-up Adele Hack weddinghairplymouth.co.uk

Bride's nails Hands & Tans handsandtansliskeard.com

Bridesmaids' hair Victoria Wallace

Bridesmaids' make-up Rebecca Savigar

Flowers Anna's Flower Barn annasflowerbarn.co.uk

Catering Cornish Pod cornishpod.co.uk The Albion thealbionpub.co.uk

Cheese Country Cheeses countrycheeses.co.uk

Entertainment Amber Isobel facebook.com/pg/Amber-Isobel-407923189335473, Stone Roots facebook.com/StoneRootsUK, Nick Mears nickmears.com, Plymouth Bouncy Castles plymouthbouncycastles.co.uk