Wedding at Kilminorth, Cornwall

Summer and Dan met at a bar in Newquay in 2014. “We kept bumping into each other throughout the night, then Could You Be Loved by Bob Marley began to play and we finally began to dance with each other,” remembers Summer. “Our night ended with a kiss and I've never looked back.” On the couple’s two-year anniversary, a walk along Fistral Beach led to Dan proposing at sunset, with a photographer secretly capturing the moment.

Summer and Dan settled on Kilminorth as their wedding venue. “It’s a 32-acre estate with an orchard, wild meadows, enchanting woods, an outdoor swimming pool, a tennis court and quaint, rustic cottages that accommodated all of our family and friends,” she explains.

A bohemian theme with an autumnal colour scheme of green, beige and rust orange saw the venue dressed with lots of pampas grass and wildflowers, with hanging plants and lights suspended above the banquet-style tables. Summer’s bouquet featured a mix of flowers including peonies and roses in earthy tones, plus pampas grass, dried elements and proteas, the national flower of South Africa, as a nod to her heritage.

The couple's outdoor ceremony was an intimate affair with 15 guests. “We had Bloom by Paper Kites playing as I walked down the aisle to Dan and our son, Marley, with our daughter Lana as the flower girl,” says Summer, who teamed her off-the-shoulder gown with soft beachy waves and a floral hairpiece made by Dan’s mum. “All my nerves left my body and a wave of calm washed over me. Looking at Dan waiting for me at the end of the aisle, with Marley smiling at me too – everything felt perfect.” she reflects.

Exchanging vows beneath an arch dressed with dried flowers and framing views across the valley, the close of the ceremony provided a memorable moment for Summer. “Just as the ceremony finished, a butterfly landed on Marley and did not leave his side for most of the day! Butterflies to me have always represented my sister who unfortunately couldn’t be at our wedding but she is a true free spirit, just like a butterfly,” she says. “But they have a deeper meaning than that, as we have always thought the butterfly represented her twin who sadly passed away at birth, so it was an extra special moment for myself, feeling as if they were both there with us.”

Taking some time away for photos around the picturesque grounds, the newlyweds rejoined the party in time for the reception to begin. Speeches gave way to delicious food including beef and vegan burgers, lentil curry, hot dogs and chicken shawarma, which was rounded out with a dessert table. “We didn’t have a traditional cake and instead went with a doughnut board, cupcakes, brownies and cheesecakes, along with some traditional South African desserts such as koeksisters and peppermint crisp tart,” says Summer.

Opening the dance floor, the couple’s first dance was to Beyond by Leon Bridges. “It felt awkward being stared at by 80 people, but it was a magical moment!” reminisces Summer, who looks back on the day with the fondest memories – and a few helpful tips. “Our main advice would be to dedicate specific times to sit down and plan together,” she says. “We would also suggest getting people to help as much as possible but give them specific tasks so that there’s no confusion and double booking of things.”