Wedding at Pentillie Castle, Cornwall

Rachel and Mark met as teenagers and began dating - "by dating I mean mostly sneaking into clubs underage!" says Rachel. After many years together and two young children, the couple decided that a holiday to Cornwall - "our happy place" - that featured a wedding would make for a wonderfully memorable family celebration.
 

"The joy of having such a teeny wedding meant there really was minimal preparation: I bought a few bits and pieces that I liked and that was it," she explains of their relaxed approach. "I suppose everything had quite a natural feel to it, whites and very pale blush pinks - but that's happenstance!"
 
Understated floral arrangements added to the pared-back vibe, with simple white hydrangeas and pots of white heather flanked by a bouquet and buttonholes of dried English flowers. "I loved them and the beauty of dried flowers is that they still look beautiful today," comments Rachel. Mark, a graphic designer for Superdry, poured his creativity into designing the stationery and donned a stylish combo from the brand while Rachel wore a light and beautifully embellished gown.

"I loved walking down to the bathing hut with our smallest son - swinging him high into the air between us and hearing his giggles," says Rachel of the ceremony. "We walked in as a family, and walked out as a family."


Afternoon tea comprised crab sandwiches, tiny watercress blinis with salmon, Cornish cheese scones and lots of cakes - "all washed down with much too much Cornwall and Hook Norton beer!" says Rachel.

Later, a meat and seafood feast of scallop and chorizo 'scallipops', Cornish crab bruschetta, and pulled pork with crackling sticks, slaw and salads was rounded off by the wedding cake, a confection of pink champagne, elderflower and strawberry topped off with fragrant lemon: "hands down the most beautiful thing we have ever tasted!" exclaims Rachel.

"There was pulled pork left over and sitting at Readymoney Cove in Fowey with a pulled pork bap and wedding cake picnic the next day is a wonderful memory," reveals Rachel.
 
Singing the praises of a small wedding, Rachel's advice centres on a stress-free approach. "I would highly recommend a small wedding, not getting bogged down in anything, and just enjoying your day together," she says. "We have very happy memories and a lot of photographs to look back on when we are old and grey to remember just what a special holiday this was for us."

Photography Khalile Siddiqui ks-photography.co.uk
Venue Pentillie Castle pentillie.co.uk
Dress John Lewis johnlewis.com
Groom's outfit Superdry superdry.com
Make-up Tamsyn Siddiqui cornwallweddingmake-up.co.uk
Flowers English Flower Farmer etsy.com/uk/shop/EnglishFlowerFarmer
Catering The Shellfish Pig theshellfishpig.co.uk
Cake Edible Essence edibleessencecakeart.com