Sarah and Tom first met while studying at university in Manchester. Almost ten years later, Tom popped the question during a weekend away in Polzeath.
“We went for a stroll along the beach, which we had completely to ourselves, just in time for a stunning sunset,” says Sarah. “Out of nowhere, Tom dropped to one knee and asked me to marry him, presenting me with a ring he’d been carrying around all day! I burst into (happy!) tears – and of course said ‘yes’!”
A protracted planning period with a series of Covid-related changes ensued. “Originally, we were planning a 150-guest wedding in Somerset. However, the postponement gave us time and space outside of the original rushed excitement of wedding planning to really think about what we wanted,” explains Sarah.
Opting for a smaller guest list “meant we could move the venue to where we'd always really wanted it to be – Cornwall!” says Sarah, who was smitten with Beacon Crag in Porthleven the moment she set eyes upon it. “Porthleven is one of our favourite places in the world; Beacon Crag worked for our numbers, the venue can be a complete blank canvas and that view is just unbelievable!” she says. “We hired a tipi to host our reception on the terrace overlooking the sea and opted for an outdoor ceremony on the cliffside.”
With a “festival and colourful wildflower” vision, the couple styled the day uniquely their way. “We just chose everything we loved, threw it all together and ended up with something that really felt special to us – and had a lot of fun with it too!” says Sarah.
A smattering of fairy and festoon lights, ribbon bunting and a huge ribbon wall backdrop created a colourful and ambient space inside the tents, with matching tableware in the form of bright glassware, rattan charger plates and dusty pink cheesecloth table runners lined with mismatched glass bottles filled with flowers. “We set up a couple of chill-out zones inside the tipi by hiring armchairs, rugs and coffee tables, and outside we had hay bales with colourful blankets around firepits with s’more stations,” adds Sarah.
Following the ceremony, canapés, drinks and acoustic music greeted guests ahead of a banquet including grazing platter starters followed by stuffed whole salmon, grilled cauliflower and aubergine Moroccan flatbreads and apple crumble for dessert. As night fell, the party kicked up a gear with a glitter station, rounds of beer pong, a live band and fireworks finale.
“My favourite moment was definitely the ceremony,” reflects Sarah. “To have all our guests together on a beautiful sunny day overlooking the ocean to watch us finally become husband and wife felt incredible. I loved our handfasting ceremony, which included both of our mums laying the ribbon over our hands. It felt really special to have them both involved.”
Sarah pays tribute to the team effort that made their wedding day so spectaular. "It wouldn't have happened without our amazing friends and family helping with the set-up and, of course, our brilliant suppliers." she says.
“Your wedding doesn't have to fit a theme or a look – and you don’t have to invite everyone you have ever met,” she adds as final words of wisdom. “Just have fun with it and enjoy the process.”
Photography Kathryn Clarke-Mcleod kathrynclarkemcleod.com
Venue Beacon Crag beaconcrag.com
Tipi The Cornish Tent Company thecornishtentcompany.com
On-the-day coordination Miss Carlysle and Co misscarlysleandco.com
Celebrants Cornish Celebrants cornishcelebrants.co.uk
Dress Anna Kara from Perfect Day Bridal perfectdaybridal.net
Bridesmaids’ dresses Sammi McCarthy Designs etsy.com/uk/shop/SammiMcCarthyDesigns
Flower girls’ tutus Six Stories sixstories.co.uk
Groom’s outfit John Lewis johnlewis.com
Hair Louise Alway louisealway.com
Make-up Suzi Winter makeupartistcornwall.co.uk
Flowers Lafonia Flower Company lafoniaflowercompany.co.uk
Catering Dish Cornwall dishcornwall.co.uk
Cake Ahh Toots ahhtoots.com
Tableware & prop hire Keeping it Vintage keepingitvintage.co.uk
Furniture & prop hire The Prop Factory propfactory.co.uk
Entertainment The Nauticals nauticalsband.com
Glitter station Pluma UK instagram.com/pluma.uk
Videography The McHendrys themchendrys.com
Fireworks Sonic Fireworks sonicfireworks.co.uk
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