The attraction was instant when Briony and Greg met in a Birmingham boxing gym in 2015. Starring in a promotional gym video together, Briony joked to her friends at the time: “You can play this at my wedding, because that’s the man I’m going to marry!” she says. “Nine years later, that’s exactly what I did!”
The couple were holidaying in Cornwall in 2022 when Greg suggested pasties and a walk from St Agnes to Porthtowan. “We stopped at Wheal Coates to eat our pasties and admire the coastal view,” says Briony. “Greg took a picture of me looking out over the sea and, as I turned around, he was down on one knee and asked if I would marry him.”
With its sweeping views across the south coast, Tredudwell Manor was the perfect venue for the couple. “We felt the views perfectly captured the Cornish coastline that we were so in love with and wanted to share with all of our friends and family,” explains Briony, who drew on the coast for styling inspiration. “I chose a satin blue and greeny teal for my bridesmaids’ dresses and Greg’s groomsmen’s suits, and used lots of local suppliers,” she says.
Thanks to glorious weather, the couple were able to get married in the gardens to the sounds of a live saxophonist. “I was really worried about walking down the aisle and standing up in front of everyone, but actually, it was so romantic and affirmed our commitment to each other,” says Briony, citing the ceremony as the couple’s favourite part of the day. “It was incredibly moving and the best moment of our lives.”
After the ceremony, the newlyweds and their guests enjoyed bubbly and canapés in the susn-drenched grounds before a wedding breakfast that included charcuterie boards, Cornish seafood paella, chilli, nachos and tartiflette.
The speeches and cutting of the cake provided some heartfelt moments before the couple took to the dance floor for their first dance to This Will Be (Everlasting Love) by Natalie Cole. “We felt the song encapsulates how we feel about each other. It’s fun, everyone can dance to it and the message is all about everlasting love,” explains Briony. “We decided to just go for it! You only get married once and the first dance is your one opportunity to dance in front of your family and friends with the person that you love.” The evening celebrations saw live band The Nashville Heat filling the dance floor into the small hours, with Briony and Greg making the most of every moment. “We adopted a ‘what will be, will be’ mindset,” she reflects. “All your planning leads to one day and it really is gone in a flash. You need to enjoy it and be present!”
Her other piece of advice to others is to trust your suppliers. “Make an effort to form relationships with them before the big day,” she recommends. “I would encourage you to do the make-up trial, the hair trial and tasting menu. Go for a coffee with your florist, photographer and celebrant. It’s great to firm plans with suppliers and make sure they know your vision. However, the real benefit is having experts around you that can support you and put you at ease – let someone else sweat the small things on the day!”
Photography & videography Thomas Frost Photography thomasfrostphotography.com
Venue Tredudwell Manor tredudwell.co.uk
Dress Caroline Castigliano carolinecastigliano.com
Bridesmaids’ dresses David’s Bridal davidsbridal.co.uk
Flower girl’s dress Monsoon monsoon.co.uk
Suit Gieves & Hawkes gievesandhawkes.com
Groomsmen’s outfits Slater Menswear slaters.co.uk
Hair Ro Hair rohair.co.uk
Make-up Sonia Allen MUA soniaallenmua.co.uk
Celebrant Ceremonies by Amanda ceremoniesbyamanda.com
Flowers The Flower Press Shop theflowerpressshop.co.uk
Catering Big Pan Parties bigpanparties.co.uk
Cake Kiara Rae Cakes instagram.com/kiararaecakes
Décor & tableware hire Abbotts Event Hire abbottseventhire.co.uk
Stationery Yellowstone Paper Works yellowstonepaperworks.co.uk
Entertainment Paul Haywood Music paulhaywoodmusic.com
The Nashville Heat thenashvilleheat.co.uk
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