SAY CHEESE!
Oozing creamy deliciousness and coolly rustic appeal, a tower of cheese is just the ticket for a delectable after-dinner treat. Newlyn Cheese Shop, an emporium of delicious cheeses and nibbles, provides cheese stacks, which can be entirely tailored to your tastes, from the selection of cheeses to the beautiful edible flora coordinated to your colour scheme. Tickle your guests' cheesy fancy with a tower of local favourites such as Cornish Yarg, Cornish Blue and Cornish Brie.
www.newlyncheese.co.uk
Newlyn Cheese Shop (Simon Cook)
LOVE POTIONS
Renowned for its rich, delectable flavour and supposed aphrodisiac properties, the association between mead and marriage goes back to pagan times, earning the heady tipple the title the 'honeymoon drink'. Available in an array of tempting flavours, a bottle of Cornish mead makes for a sweet and oh-so desirable wedding favour.
www.cornishmead.co.uk
Cornish Mead
BOTTOMS UP!
Hand crafted in Cornwall, Cornish Orchards' range of delicious ciders and juices is perfect for bringing a lip-smacking, local flavour to your wedding beverages. Berry red in colour with the heady aroma of fresh raspberries, the Blush Cider offers a flavoursome and gently sparkling Cornish alternative to a traditional fizz for the toast. Cornish Gold, Pear and Blush Cider - alongside the more traditional Farmhouse Cider flagons - also make crowd-pleasing drinks for the bar.
Not neglecting the non-drinkers, Cornish Orchards offers a superb selection of soft drinks. The Elderflower Presse is a delicate and refreshing sparkling drink, which combines the floral tones of hand-picked elderflower with the zesty juice of fresh pressed lemon, making it the ultimate in Cornish celebratory soft drinks.
www.cornishorchards.co.uk
SWEET SOMETHINGS
Treat your guests to the prettiest of palate-pleasers. Whether it's cute favours or yummy numbers for the sweetie table, Emily Hankins' selection of macaroon pops and cake pops make for the most tantalising of treats on a stick.
www.emilyhankins.co.uk
CHINA GIRL
Dress your tabletops with delicate vintage china and accessories from The Creative Crockery Company. From ditsy floral teacups and cake stands to lovely linens and birdcages draped with pearls, consider a very pretty party well and truly sorted.
www.thecreativecrockerycompany.co.uk
PERFECT PICNICS
Treat your guests to a brilliantly bespoke and palate-pleasing picnic. Based in the fishing village of Porthleven, The Gourmet Picnic Company whips up sumptuous medleys of chef-made foodstuffs utilising top quality local produce. Perfect for setting a relaxed and informal vibe, the portable feast can be designed entirely around your tastes and delivered in a Gourmet Picnics cool bag or wicker baskets complete with bespoke luggage tags.
Think decadent spreads of lobster, Cornish dressed crab, chicken skewers, local cheeses and sumptuous salads, rounded off with Cornish strawberries and Cornish clotted cream, Prosecco and Polgoon ciders - or whatever fusion of flavours stirs your appetite. From intimate weddings through to celebrations for up to 200 guests, these fabulous feasts will set an inspired and oh-so tasty tone.
www.gourmetpicnics.co.uk
THE FIZZ FACTOR
Seeking a tasty local tipple for your toast drink? May we introduce you to the sublime pleasures of the Sparkling Rose, Sparkling Aval and Sparkling Aval Raspberry from Penzance-based vineyard Polgoon? Tasting of celebrations, these utterly delectable drinks will make your taste buds sing with their balanced, bubbly and zingy flavours. The vineyard's selection of wines also make for beautifully quaffable accompaniments to the wedding breakfast, while their sensational ciders will go down a treat at every evening reception. What's more, with the opening of a new tasting room, you can now enjoy a tasting session in the heart of the vineyard.
www.polgoon.co.uk
CORNISH CUPPA
With the tea party reception still going strong - and the fact that pretty much everyone appreciates the heart-warming joys of a good cuppa - tea has taken centre stage at many a wedding. Blended here in the deepest West Country, treat your guests to a cup of Smugglers Brew from The Cornish Tea Company for golden nectar with a Cornish flavour.
www.cornish-tea.co.uk
TEN TASTY TIPS
Let these scrumptious ideas whet your appetite for a delicious do...
Personal packages. Serve up your favourite comfort foods in fun and personalised ways. Think chunky chips in paper bags printed with monograms or fish and chips in cartons printed with a montage of comical couple photos.
Home sweet home. Draw inspiration from your home and pepper your menu with the flavours of your roots, whether it's a famed dish from your home county, a beer from your local brewery or a creative fusion of flavours inspired by your heritage.
Food heaven. Let your favourite foods inspire your wedding menu. "Your menu should be full of the foods you really love," advises Jamie Beetham of Beetham Food. "For example, if you like nothing more than Tex-Mex, then opt for a meaty feast which includes burgers, rack of ribs, tortillas and pulled pork."
Go Gatsby. The 1920s speakeasy vibe is going strong. Wow your guests with spectacular towers of cocktails, dainty sandwiches and cakes, and impossibly glamorous presentation.
Winter warmers. "Serve hearty, wholesome fare such as sausage and mash and navarin of lamb washed down with Winter Pimm's for a wedding in the depths of winter," suggests Jamie Beetham of Beetham Food.
Glam slam. "Glamour is back," says Sarah Wright of The Round Kitchen. "There's a definite trend for sophisticated dinner parties utilising candelabras, platinum-rimmed plates and twinkling lights."
Pizza party. Seeking a crowd-pleasing belly fill for the evening reception? "Serve stone-baked pizzas and chips - they go down a treat," says Jamie Beetham of Beetham Food.
Order of service. Consider giving your guests a running order for the day. "That way, your guests will have an idea of what time reception drinks are served and when they will be eating," suggests Lucy Turner of The Round Kitchen. Think cute booklets or beautiful scrolls given out at the ceremony.
Cocktail hour. Treat your guests to your favourite indulgences during cocktail hour, whether it's mini burgers, Yorkshire puddings or tacos and little chocolate pots and scones oozing with clotted cream and jam.
Late night munchies. Lay on some snacks to fuel the late night party shenanigans or send your guests home with a bedtime treat. Think mini kebabs and slices of pizza or hot chocolate and biscuits.
words Rebecca Matthews
Copyright Wed magazine 2013
