After meeting at secondary school, it took a few false starts for Hayley and Jake to fall in love. The couple shared a kiss in 2008, then swiftly moved on; fast-forward a few years to 2012, and Hayley’s best friend convinced her to have a night out where she left chatting with Jake. “I wasn’t interested as I had just come out of a relationship and I said he was boring with no chat!” says Hayley. “He messaged me to ask for my number and prove me wrong. We dated for about six months before making it official!”
A walk and picnic near their home led to a romantic proposal, which in turn led to the couple planning their wedding extravaganza at Kilminorth. “I’ve wanted a three-day wedding since I went to a family wedding in the US, which had lots of celebrations over multiple days,” she says. The celebrations kicked off in style with a pizza party on the Friday night when they were lucky enough to spot the Northern Lights!
Their wedding day was also filled with glorious colours. “Oranges and pinks are my happy colours and Jake also loves brighter colours so we always knew we’d go down that route,” she says. “I loved the idea of a neutral bridal party and the flowers bringing all the colour!”
An idyllic corner of Kilminorth’s grounds set the scene for their al fresco ceremony; a singer serenaded guests as they took their seats and sang Fleetwood Mac’s Songbird as the bride walked down the aisle. Their bridesmaid, Laura, shared a reading called Wedding Poem before the newlyweds walked back up the aisle to Signed, Sealed, Delivered. “We did a dip and it was perfect – our favourite picture!” says Hayley.
Everyone milled around in the sunshine, enjoying drinks and canapés before heading to the marquee styled with gorgeous peonies, foliage and festoon lights where the newlyweds made a memorable entrance. “We walked in as Mr and Mrs Blythe to Freed from Desire and had no idea how it would pan out,” says Hayley of one of the couple’s favourite moments. “Everyone had their napkins in the air and we were all dancing for the entire song! It was brilliant!”
Guests were thrilled to find a personalised message written by Hayley and Jake at each place setting. “We managed to keep it a secret from all our guests,” she says. “We think it really set the tone for the rest of the afternoon and everyone is still talking about it.”
After a feast of slow-cooked barbecue pork belly, hispi cabbage, fried red skin potatoes, mac and cheese, slaw and salads, everyone headed to the doughnut wall for dessert ahead of the first dance. “We went back and forth on a song for ages before choosing something that reminds us of good times together: Champagne Supernova by Oasis – we always dance to it after a few drinks!” says Hayley. “Our first dance was one of my favourite moments; I felt like it was just me and Jake in that room!” After a night of dance floor antics, the couple returned to their cottage and then savoured a relaxed Sunday with their nearest and dearest, reminiscing on their wonderful wedding day.
“It really does all come together in the final weeks before the big day,” says Hayley by way of calming advice for others who are in the throes of wedding planning. "Enjoy every single second as it honestly does all go by in a flash!”
Photography Laura Buffery Photography laurabufferyphotography.co.uk
Videography CV Visual Films cvvisualfilms.com
Venue Kilminorth kilminorth.co.uk
Dress Made With Love from St Ives Bridal Boutique stivesbridalboutique.co.uk
Bridesmaids’ dresses Maids to Measure maidstomeasure.com
Hair Bridal Hair by Rhian bridalhairbyrhian.co.uk
Make-up Balance of Beautee balanceofbeautee-makeupartistry.co.uk
Suits Moss moss.co.uk
Flowers Perdie’s Flowers perdiesflowers.co.uk
Catering Elements Events by Jack Clements elementsevents.co.uk
Pizza Kernowforno kernowforno.co.uk
Cocktails Two Beards Bars 2beardsbars.com
Entertainment Zoe Adele Sings zoeadelesings.co.uk
Sam King Entertainment samkingentertainment.co.uk
