As if destined by the nine muses of Greek mythology, Lucy Newnham, a 28-year-old Cornish lass, has had the privilege of being present at nine - yes nine! - weddings in the last year. Clearly, being witness to the magical moment when the cosmos aligns two folk at the centre of each other's universe is honour enough, but she is also in the unique position - perhaps more commonly experienced by frantic photographers - of experiencing multiple weddings back to back.
So what subtle changes in trends and styling has she noticed over the course of the twelve months? And can you draw on some of these ideas for your own wedding-planning musings?
Tony Ward Photography
I caught up with Lucy for a look back at her year in Cornish weddings - as guest and as bridesmaid - for some insights into the scene from a girl who's stepped delicately through the thickest of tulle, parcelled up more sugared almonds than Christmas presents and can tell a peony from a primrose at 30 paces.
Everyone loves the sound of a high quality envelope landing squarely on the door mat, but after the fifth, sixth, seventh of the year, is it possible to retain the requisite enthusiasm for another round of canapes, bubbles and weeping relatives? Lucy's gusto is palpable.
"There are so many things to love about weddings," she says. "What's been great about this year is seeing happiness in lots of different forms, and how couples show their love for each other in the little details of their weddings."
"Of course, the highlight is always seeing the bride for the first time, but it's fun arranging different dresses for the occasion and - of course - sampling the wedding cake!"
Attending her first wedding in this twelve-month marital fiesta in August 2013 and the last in July 2014, I was curious as to what trends Lucy noticed running throughout this epic wedding season.
"In terms of the aesthetic, the main character was elegance and laidback fun. Pastel colours featured throughout, with lots of peaches and blush pinks in bridesmaid dresses and bouquets," she explains. "Another key trend was the lace wedding dress: it seemed to tie into the nostalgic vibe a lot of couples tried to create."
Wedding food complemented this vision. Lucy saw, "lots of afternoon tea style nibbles and cupcakes replacing the more traditional wedding cake." Suggesting that a lot of couples were going for a communal, relaxed approach, she also noted the popularity of hog roasts.
However, there were some subtle shifts in trends across the year - as you'd expect. Lucy was conscious of the appearance of gentler colours in flowers and "softer" looking bouquets as her invites took her into 2014. She also encountered more vintage and shabby chic decor, perhaps attesting to the post-recession resurgence and popularisation of the 'make do and mend' mentality.
Having got married last year, I know that every couple's hope is that all your guests experience only the zenith of your mutual planning - the perfect day and evening, all glitches glossed over.
But as a member of the wedding party's inner circle, you are witness to the more tumultuous moments in the adventure of bringing a wedding together. Lucy, as a bridesmaid, recounts a close encounter with wedding planning disaster...would-be-brides, take heed!
"Rachel - who I was a bridesmaid for in January - forgot to book the registrar," she explains. "But it was the timing of her realisation that was so dramatic: she remembered she needed to do this on Christmas Eve! If she had left it until after Christmas, it wouldn't have been legal as the wedding date was so close!"
But despite the anticipated bumps along the road, weddings are - simply - lovely.
"Seeing two people making eye contact and just knowing it's real love is the best thing about going to so many weddings. You're literally surrounded by the love emanating from those two people and all of their friends and family."
Having witnessed the presence of love and the beautiful blurring as couples move from 'you and I' to 'us and our', what is Lucy's well-informed opinion on what romance means after the confetti has been cleared away?
"Doing something with someone, having adventures - and still getting butterflies," she says.
With so much experience on the subject, I am tempted to agree.
Here she relays her 2013-14 wedding diary musings, noting venue, theme and most divine detail of each.
August 2013
Rebecca Ritson and Robin Gray
Trevenna Barns, St Neot
Vintage/shabby chic with a Peter Pan theme running throughout.
How stunning the bride looked. The Daughters of Simone dress was elegant and simply beautiful.
September 2013
Claire White and 'Nez' Tonkin
Marquee in Leylands grounds, Goonhavern
Two towns (Goonhavern and Perranporth) joined.
The scale and clearly well planned day and the interesting evening entertainment, courtesy of the DJ, which consisted of the DJ organising a male oriented 'strip' musical chairs.
October 2013
Clare Parker and Chris Chambers
The Cove, Maenporth
Beachy, but intimate.
The table decorations from an art teacher - stunning; also the bacon sandwiches in the evening were really tasty!
November 2013
Kat Fletcher and Richard Cummings
The Scarlet, Mawgan Porth
Intimate and glamorous.
The true happiness reflected in the bride and groom's faces. It was really special.
January 2014
Rachel Gould and Matt Willmott
The Green, Liskeard
Vintage, unique and individual.
Due to the bride and groom's love of skiing (they had a ski honeymoon), Rachel's Grandma made wool snowballs, which was used instead of confetti, and there was a snowball fight after dinner.
April 2014
Elizabeth Tarrant and Alistair Gregory
St Michael's Church, Newquay followed by the Trebarwith Hotel, Newquay
Vintage tea party.
Dancing all night with friends and the bride and groom to the band - they were incredible.
May 2014
Gemma Harries and Richard Tatlow
The Ferryboat Inn, Helford Passage
Relaxed and mellow vibe.
The cute cupcakes with edible sand and bucket and spades.
Early July 2014
Michelle White and Colm Walsh
Perranzabuloe Church followed by marquee reception in Leylands grounds, Goonhavern
Vintage and shabby chic.
The decor, created with thought and love by the bride who runs a company called the Manly Beach Mason Jars, which are great for weddings. The food was gorgeous too.
Late July 2014
Jessica Poole and Jamie Price
Denham Church, Middlesex followed by the Monkey Island Hotel, Bray.
Countryside chic
The unique and gorgeous setting on an island on the Thames (only accessible by footbridge). Peacocks live there. The speech from the two best men was also the best of all!
words Rebecca Ritson
Copyright Wed magazine 2014
