Originally meeting at school aged 17, it took Hannah and Mat 14 years to finally get the timing right. “We ended up living counties, countries and eventually continents apart, but we always stayed good friends and joked that we had ‘magnets in our belly buttons’ that always drew us to one another,” says Hannah. “When Mat returned home from Australia in 2016 he told me that ‘the torch he carried for me had turned into a bonfire’, and the rest is history.” A proposal in 2019 alongside a Swiss glacier paved the way for their beautifully personal wedding at Polhawn Fort.
Opting for a colour scheme of green and gold, the outdoorsy couple incorporated natural details throughout the styling, as well as spinal models and medical textbooks in a nod to Hannah’s job as a chiropractor.
A “first touch” helped the couple stay calm in the lead-up to their ceremony, which was conducted by a friend in the garden overlooking the sea. “Danny brought heart and humour to our day and made it even more memorable as he was able to add the personal touches that only a friend can do,” says Hannah.
As well as exchanging their own vows, the ceremony was filled with meaningful music, readings and rituals. “There will be times when we need to lean on those around us. To symbolise this, we planted a tree in a pot and each put in soil from our childhood homes,” she continues. Each member of the wedding party then added soil from their own homes as a sign that they will stand by the couple.
Celebrating becoming husband and wife with a shot of tequila, the newlyweds danced back down the aisle. Tequila also played a poignant part later in the day, when friends gathered to do a tequila shot for their heavenly best man, Paul. “30 friends got together to hold Paul in our hearts and toast him,” says Hannah, who incorporated a locket containing a picture of her best friend into her bouquet.
Guests enjoyed the sunshine and ocean panoramas while playing lawn games before tucking into a wedding breakfast of beetroot and goat’s cheese tatin, pan-roasted hake and a trio of desserts.
A thoughtful gesture from the couple at each place setting proved a brilliant icebreaker. “Each guest had an envelope which contained a photograph of them with one of us and a funny story or memory. It was a lovely way to show our appreciation for our amazing guests,” says Hannah.
As the sun began to set, Hannah and Mat stole away to the private beach for photographs and quiet moments together as the golden light danced on the water. “We had 20 minutes of playing, laughing and dancing on the beach together and it was perfect.”
A first dance with a difference saw the newlyweds and their guests doing a conga line to the Gipsy Kings’ Bamboléo to open the dance floor. “Looking out across the lawn and seeing all our favourite people together watching the sunset was the cherry on top of an honestly perfect day,” she says.
The couple’s top tip for others planning weddings is a simple one: delegate! “We had so many amazing friends who were desperate to help,” says Hannah. “Also, having a wedding coordinator on the day is essential.” Her final piece of advice is to take a little time to yourselves. “Just slipping away to share a hug helped us savour the day.”
Photography Laurie B Film and Photography laurie-b.com
Venue Polhawn Fort polhawnfort.com
On-the-day coordination Gemma at Planning Elegance planningelegance.co.uk
Dress Madi Lane from The Wedding Company the-wedding-company.co.uk
Bridesmaids’ dresses & jumpsuits JJ's House jjshouse.com
Videography Prosper prsprfilms.com
Hair Emily Chappel
Make-up Nancy Koohathong instagram.com/nk.beauty.makeup
Suits Marc Darcy marcdarcy.co.uk ties & chinos Next next.co.uk
Ties & chinos Next next.co.uk
Catering Apt Catering aptcatering.com
Flowers St Mellion Flowers stmellionflowers.co.uk
Entertainment For Celebrations forcelebrations.co.uk
