Marshall whisked Johanna back to the setting of their first meeting for his romantic proposal. "On that beautiful sunny February day on St Mary's, with our favourite island St Agnes in the background, he dropped to one knee and asked me to marry him. I was so overwhelmed I forgot to say yes!" recalls Johanna.
Preparations immediately began for their tropical beach themed bash. Reflecting their passion for the coast and travel, they envisioned a medley of bright colours, eclectic flavours and a relaxed vibe taking in some cherished locations. "We felt that the flowers really set the feel for the whole wedding - a happy, laidback day," says Johanna.
The couple were married under an archway woven with vibrant flowers in the Boardroom at Blue in Porthtowan, where Johanna walked down the aisle to the Native American 'Shoshone Love Song', performed by her parents' choir, The Riverside Singers. "The ceremony was very personal and intimate; there was lots of laughter and cheering. We wrote our own vows and our family and friends read poems. Everyone agreed that it was a really joyful, heart-warming ceremony," says Johanna.
The entire wedding party walked across the beach - Johanna's favourite moment - and arrived at Chapel Porth for a beach barbecue. There, they feasted on Moroccan lamb kebabs, Jamaican jerk chicken, Cornish pork sausages, falafels and halloumi cheese. "To wash it all down we drank our favourite cocktails from our trip to the Cook Islands and also had plenty of Cornish ale and Australian wines."
Their home in Gwithian had been transformed into a party palace for the evening celebrations: a canopy housed the dance floor, the summerhouse was turned into a Moroccan lounge and two marquees were bedecked with colourful decor.
The newlyweds took to their newly constructed dance floor for their first dance to Jason Mraz's 'Lucky'. The party then kicked off in style as The Sandy Acre 7 performed followed by their DJ friend Steve Hole who kept the party going into the early hours. "I can honestly say I've never danced or smiled so much. It was the best day of my life," says Johanna.
The evening ended with a surprise firework display that Marshall had arranged, and the couple jetted off to Bali for their honeymoon the next day. Johanna's advice is simply to enjoy the while experience: "Don't get caught up in all the formalities and dance 'til you drop!"
The venue
Blue Bar, Porthtowan followed by marquee reception
01209 890329 www.blue-bar.co.uk
The dress
Sweetheart from Vu's Bridal, Wadebridge
01208 815440 www.vusbridal.co.uk
The flowers
Wedding Flowers in Cornwall
01872 553080 www.weddingflowersincornwall.co.uk
Photography
Stewart Girvan Photography
07968 614759 www.stewartgirvan.co.uk
Copyright WED Magazine 2012
