"We had a marquee on the side of Seaton Beach Cafe. We used lots of hessian and raffia to tie in the white marquee with the wood of the beach hut, peach and blue bunting made by John's mum Carol and hydrangeas from neighbours' gardens!" says Sam. The details were a labour of love, too. "My sister filled lots of mini jam jars with homemade chilli jam for favours and guests' place names were made using gold embossed letters that we stuck on pebbles collected from the beach." Jam jars collected by family and friends were decorated with ribbons and filled with sand and tea lights to make pretty lanterns.
In keeping with the highly personal vibe, Sam wore a bespoke gown from Story Book Brides and carried a rustic bouquet of peach, purple and ivory blooms bound with raffia. The service at St. Anne's Church commenced with the fire of a shotgun (into the air!) to announce the arrival of the bride, which is a longstanding tradition at the church. "The service was wonderful. The Whitsand Harmony Choir sang, which my Dad belongs to. It created the most wonderful atmosphere and kept guests happy while we were signing the register," recalls Sam.
The newly-weds arrived at their reception, rather appropriately, in a VW campervan. The beach cafe served a special barbecue for guests, comprising a mixture of meats, fish and salads. A ploughman's buffet later in the evening kept appetites further at bay, as did a delicious spread of homemade cakes.
Plymouth-based band Rumblefish provided the perfect party atmosphere in the evening. Sam and John took the opportunity to briefly escape the dance floor: "We took a moment to sit on the beach on our own - it was stunning and felt wonderful to be together man and wife with all our friends having a ball in the background!"
Sam and John's undisputed highlight was "walking out of church as man and wife", while their advice to other couples draws upon their own experience. "Use your gut instinct and remember the real reason you're getting married. Don't get stressed; take your time planning your day - you're going to be together for the rest of your lives so there's no need to rush decisions," advises Sam. "And don't be afraid to be creative even if others think your ideas won't work out!"
The venue
St. Anne's Church, Hessenford followed by Seaton Beach Cafe, Saltash
01503 250621 www.seatonbeachcafe.co.uk
The dress
Story Book Brides, Plymouth
01752 342670 www.storybook-brides.co.uk
The flowers
St Mellion Flowers
01752 845545 www.stmellionflowers.co.uk
Photography
Tracey Wood
07799 691792 www.traceywoodphotography.co.uk
Copyright WED Magazine 2012
