“We met through a friend following a conversation that I liked a man in uniform,” smiles Loretta. “We arranged to meet for coffee – and the rest is history!”
Ted chose to propose in the Isles of Scilly, Loretta’s favourite place in the world, selecting the island of St Agnes where her gran has lived for her whole life. “He proposed to me on Covean Beach while we both sat on a rock looking out to sea,” she reflects. “It was such a beautiful moment.”
The couple chose Knightor Winery for their venue, styling the day to reflect the season in which they wed. “I love all the autumnal colours, so we got married in October and had a rustic, autumn theme,” says Loretta.
Tapping into the creative talents of friends and family to help achieve their autumnal vision, a friend made the three-tier wedding cake comprising Guinness chocolate cake, Victoria sponge and carrot cake, while one of Loretta’s bridesmaids arranged the floristry, including gorgeous garlands on the tables. Knightor’s 18th century barn was a carnival of rich autumnal colours, carrying from the posies of flowers in jam jars and bottles to the arrangements of dried flowers filling jugs and watering cans, which sat atop log slices dotted with pine cones.
Though she struggles to pinpoint just one (“as the whole day was perfect!”), Loretta admits that walking down the aisle was her favourite moment. Drinks and canapés followed the ceremony, and after the photos a mouth-watering barbecue menu featuring the likes of pulled pork, chicken and vegetarian dishes was served.
With the speeches delivered and all formalities complete, the party was kick-started by Loretta and Ted’s first dance, another “magical” moment that featured the vocals of singer, Josh Curnow. “Then we danced the evening away until midnight!” she reminisces.
“It’s never too early to start planning,” says Loretta when asked to dispense her best advice to other couples in the planning throes. “Get a wedding book to jot down ideas and slowly tick of the things you have done,” she says of the importance of being organised and taking note of your progress, before adding: “Set your budget and enjoy every moment.”
She also suggests having your day filmed if your budget allows. “It is well worth it,” she asserts. “We have watched our video many times already since the wedding. It’s so beautiful and a lovely keepsake as you do forget some parts of the day.
Photography Sofie Michelle sofiemichellephotography.co.uk
Venue Knightor Winery knightor.com
Dress Bliss Bridal Gowns blissbridalgowns.co.uk
Groom’s outfit Little Anne-Maids littleanne-maids.co.uk
Hair & make-up Emilie’s Professional Hair & Make-up emilieshairandmakeup.co.uk
Flowers Cornwall Floral Design coastalfloraldesign.co.uk
Dried flowers Cornish Moor Flowers cornish-moor-flowers.co.uk
Décor & tableware hire Emily Rose Events Hire instagram.com/emilyroseeventshire
Entertainment Josh Curnow joshcurnowmusic.com
John Green Dynamic Entertainments johngreendynamicentertainments.co.uk
Videography Summit Imagery summitimagery.co.uk