After a few years of chatting online through a car enthusiast club, Siobhan and James finally met when a group from the club decided to meet in person. “I’m Scottish and James is Cornish so we couldn’t have lived further apart!” she says. “We clicked and then, six months later, I decided to move to Cornwall.”
Proposing at Siobhan’s favourite place in Cornwall, Rame Head, the couple had taken their dog Maggie for her first visit to the headland when James dropped to one knee. “I just remember asking him if he was sure and bursting into tears with happiness!” she says.
Choosing a theme of “mainly rustic, boho vibes”, the couple dressed their venue, Avalen Weddings, with shades of rust, orange and natural browns and dried flowers to reflect their autumnal wedding date. Siobhan made many of the details herself, including the large macramé backdrop in the ceremony room.
With Maggie acting as ring-bearer, the ceremony began with Siobhan walking down the aisle with her dad to the sound of a violinist, which James had surprised her with. James was dressed in Cornish Hunting tartan as an ode to his Cornish heritage while honouring Siobhan’s Scottish roots, and Siobhan was dressed in a beautiful handmade gown with botanical lace detailing. “We then had our ‘love story’ read by Michelle, our celebrant, followed by saying our vows, a traditional hand-fasting and drinking from the quaich, which is a Scottish tradition,” she says. “My favourite moment was when we read our vows to each other and when we finally said I do.”
Guests then enjoyed an acoustic set in the courtyard before grazing platters were served in the barn, piled high with cold meats, cheeses, fruit, salad and breads. “We also had a dessert table prepared by James’ mum with an array of cupcakes, ‘bronuts’ and other sweet treats,” says Siobhan.
The speeches provided a real standout moment for the couple. “We are so lucky to have had such wonderful people say such beautiful and funny things,” she says. An evening of “drinking, dancing and eating!” began with the first dance to You and I by PVRIS. “We prepared a few small moves to go along with the song, but I loved it when James just picked me up and spun me round,” says Siobhan. “It just felt so fun and free!”
Live music kept the dance floor full and food trucks of Greek gyros and sweet crepes kept guests’ appetites sated. “It was very relaxed and informal with a bit of a festival feel, surrounded by all of our nearest and dearest; it was just the most special day,” remembers Siobhan. "I loved when spraying bottles of prosecco at each other and our sparkler exit!” she adds, when asked for her happy memories. “We also finished off the evening doing the traditional end to a Scottish wedding where we all sing and dance to Loch Lomond; it’s the most fun!”
And when it comes to top tips for those planning their own weddings? “Remember to focus on just the two of you,” she says. “Also try and make sure the two of you stick together so that you can remember all the little moments and conversations, and so you don’t get separated for prolonged periods of time. We found doing a sweetheart table gave us the perfect time to regroup and relax, just the two of us.”
Photography Verity Westcott veritywestcott.com
Venue Avalen Weddings avalenweddings.co.uk
Dress & veil Mirka Bridal Couture mirkabridal.com
Hand-painted leather jacket Bee and Bones Design instagram.com/beeandbonesdesign
Shoes Dr Martens drmartens.com
Groom & groomsmen’s outfits MacGregor and MacDuff macgregorandmacduff.co.uk
Bridesmaids’ dresses Six Stories sixstories.co.uk
Hair Devon Wedding Hair devonweddinghair.co.uk
Make-up Georgina Yates georginayatesmakeupartist.com
Celebrant Michelle Parfitt michelleparfittcelebrant.com
Bouquets & buttonholes Down by the River downbytheriver.co.uk
Evening food Dank Franks facebook.com/dankfranksfood
Crepe Cornwall facebook.com/CrepeCornwall
Cake Fallon’s Cakes facebook.com/fallonscakedesign
Entertainment The Waves Collective thewvscollective.com
Miranda Juliet mirandajuliet.com
Videography I Do Film and Photos idofilmandphotos.co.uk
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