Becca and Alex met in their local pub. “Alex was a house builder on the estate where I had just bought my first house, so I spent a lot of time telling him about the problems that needed fixing!” she laughs. His proposal at Efteling, a theme park in the Netherlands, set the mood for their wedding. “The park is fairytale-themed and so was the proposal – outside my favourite ride! We celebrated with mulled wine as it was just after Christmas.”
The enchantment continued at The Lost Gardens of Heligan, a place they had fallen in love with during a visit to Cornwall. Opting for a fairy garden theme for the bridal party, Becca wore a romantic gown embellished with lace flowers and a floral headband while her bridesmaids donned flowing lilac gowns and carried pretty bouquets of pale pink and purple blooms.
Weaving through the leafy paths in the late afternoon sunshine, the bridal party entered the Italian Garden, with its ornamental lake and Mediterranean flora and fauna, for a beautifully personal evening ceremony before nine close family members. “The bridesmaids walked into Once Upon a Dream from Sleeping Beauty and I walked into By the Sleepy Lagoon,” says Becca. The music played a central role throughout the ceremony, with classical pieces such as Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony from Fantasia and music from Efteling adding to the atmosphere, while the bridesmaids shared readings from The Owl and the Pussycat by Edward Lear and The Ent and the Entwife by J.R.R. Tolkien. “The ceremony was perfect, the Italian garden is like something from a dream,” says Becca.
After the vows, everyone mingled in the gardens over canapés and his-and-hers cocktails – basil gimlets and strawberry daiquiris – before the newlyweds ventured deeper into the gardens for photos. “One of our favourite moments was getting photos on the rope bridge!” recalls Becca. “It was actually really difficult – our photographer Hannah did a great job balancing with the camera! There was a lot of laughs – it was so much fun!”
Settling at a table dressed with foliage and blooms from the gardens, the wedding breakfast was an intimate affair featuring a meat-free menu of baked Camembert, roasted cauliflower and seafood linguine followed by lemon posset, sticky toffee pudding and a Cornish cheeseboard. An upbeat first dance to Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville – “This song holds a lot of lovely holiday memories for us both” – was followed by cherished moments of dancing with their nearest and dearest, and toasting marshmallows around the firepit beneath the stars.
Reflecting on their enchanting garden wedding, Becca and Alex are happy they chose a laidback and intimate celebration. “I love the fact we had a very relaxed day. Having an evening ceremony meant we didn’t have to rush or stress. It was really special to go to the beach and have fun swimming in the sea together before it all!” she says. “I also enjoyed the intimacy of the wedding, having only nine guests meant we spent the whole weekend together, which was just perfect.”
Her advice for others planning a wedding? “Do what makes you both happy as a couple, think about the little things that will bring you both joy on your special day!” she says. Allow yourselves to be present in the moment: observe the little details – take a moment to listen to your music, look around at your family and friends, absorb the atmosphere and treasure it.”
Photography Hannah Timm Photography hannahtimmphotography.co.uk
Venue, cake, décor, flowers & stationery The Lost Gardens of Heligan heligan.com
Dress J & J Designs Bridal jandjdesignsbridal.co.uk
Coordination Louise Eade, The Lost Gardens of Heligan heligan.com
Suit House of Cavani cavani.co.uk
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