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Real Weddings in Cornwall and Devon

Wedding at Porthgwidden Beach Cafe, Cornwall

Wedding at Porthgwidden Beach Cafe, Cornwall

Cornish Dreams


Kate and Ben's sand-between-the-toes celebrations at Porthgwidden Beach Cafe



'We first met when I went for a job interview at a restaurant owned by Ben's father. Needless to say, I got the job and a few months later we were an item. We worked together for five years after that, which stood us in good stead for married life!' giggles Kate.

Years later, a family holiday to Walt Disney World in Florida proved particularly memorable. 'Ben had planned the proposal on a log flume style ride and popped the question just before the final big drop,' recalls Kate. 'With his family sat behind us holding signs reading 'Will You Marry Me'™ the on-ride camera managed to capture the moment for everyone to see, which meant that we exited the ride to a huge applause!'

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'Deciding where to get married was the easiest decision throughout the whole planning process,' announces Kate of her and Ben's love of St Ives. 'Even though we live in Manchester it is our favourite place in the world, and one that holds some very special memories for both of our families.'

The 'understated elegance' of St Ives Council Chamber provided the perfect backdrop for their relaxed ceremony, while Porthgwidden Beach Café combined 'the views, food and relaxed Cornish atmosphere that we knew we wanted from the offset.'

Drawing inspiration from the Cornish landscape and their early October wedding date, the muted autumnal tones of St Ives' coastal paths were captured in the orange, yellow and brown colour scheme, with dried flowers continuing the seasonal theme.

'We also wanted to echo our location by dressing the tables with vintage miners' lanterns, rope, pebbles and copper vases that complemented and provided a pop of colour against the whitewashed stone walls of Porthgwidden Café,' says Kate.

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Following a musical ceremony, the newly-weds led the congregation through the streets of St Ives to the café for canapés and drinks in the sunshine, later followed by a feast of beer-battered fish, stuffed field mushrooms and slow-roasted belly pork rounded off with a Cornish cream tea.

The evening featured Cornish pasties and local cheeses before culminating 'with drinks under the festoon-lit terrace looking out onto the ocean before walking with our friends through St Ives to our cottage,' recalls Ben.

'Standing on the Island in each other's arms looking down at the ocean and knowing all our family and friends were on the beach below was so humbling and truly special,' says Kate while looking back. 'Every time we walk up there now all those feelings of pure joy come rushing back.'

'The day was so fun and relaxed,' she adds. 'Not only did it look exactly how we imagined, more importantly ' it felt even better than we could have hoped for.'

'The best advice I could give is be true to what you want and try not to sweat the small stuff,' she offers as guidance. 'In reality, most of the small details will get forgotten, but it is the people and the place that have longevity in your memories.'

Photography Salt & Sea Photography Co. saltyseaphotography.com
Venue The Council Chamber St Ives stivestowncouncil-cornwall.gov.uk
Porthgwidden Beach Café porthgwiddencafe.co.uk
Dress Katya Shehurina from The Case of the Curious Bride thecaseofthecuriousbride.com
Hairpiece & flowers The Artisan Dried Flower Company artisandriedflowers.co.uk
Groom's outfit Marc Darcy marcdarcy.co.uk
Entertainment Chris Thomas devon-wedding-singer.co.uk

Copyright Wed magazine 2019