Stuart decided to pop the question during an evening out together in London. "He took me out for a meal at a Thai restaurant overlooking Tower Bridge," recalls Anna. "Afterwards, he suggested we go to the champagne bar at The Shard where - along with enjoying a glass of bubbly - we could savour the view of what was a crystal clear night. Several glasses of champagne later, he began to talk about us, his feelings and then, before I knew it, he was on one knee proposing: it was just magical and perfect."
Selecting Cosawes Barton as the venue for their intimate garden wedding, Anna and Stuart chose a soft blush and rose gold colour scheme to strike "a vintage shabby chic look with a modern touch."
The afternoon ceremony began with a memorable walk down the aisle for Anna. "I felt proud my son was giving me away, we had such a chuckle as he walked me down," she reminisces. Reaching the end of the leafy Lime Walk, the couple took their vows beneath a pagoda bedecked with soft drapes and flowers.
An ambient drinks reception followed, where the newly-weds and their children were treated to the stirring sounds of musician, Lucy Anna, as they savoured champagne, sunshine and the scenic garden setting. Then, after an early cutting of the cake, they ventured off to the beach in a Beauford 1930s' open-top tourer for some sun-kissed photos.
On their return, the four of them settled at a beautifully dressed table topped with flowers, pretty stationery and luxe metallic accents for the wedding breakfast. Following a sharing antipasti including Cornish cheeses, mini bruschettas of squash and feta and roasted beetroot houmous with baby vegetable crudites, the main course took the form of melt in the mouth beef, shallot clove confit and cavolo nero with roasted nectarines, toasted seeds and goat's cheese. Lemon cannellini cake with orange blossom icing, washed down with champagne, completed the sumptuous feast.
"The whole day was just so magical," says Anna. "It was such an intimate, special day with our children, including Marshall the dog!"
Reflecting on their meticulously planned day, Anna recommends enlisting the services of a particular person: "Use a wedding planner as it takes (most of) the pressure away. They organise everything based on your brief, bringing together all the different suppliers to ensure a day that runs smoothly and seamlessly." She adds: "And most importantly have the day exactly as the two of you want!"
Photography Nick Walker nickwphotography.com
Venue Cosawes Barton cosawesbarton.co.uk
Wedding planning & styling Jenny Wren Weddings & Events jennywrenweddingsandevents.co.uk
Flowers & styling Wedding Flowers in Cornwall weddingflowersincornwall.co.uk
Catering Cornwall Chef cornwallchef.com
Dress Mori Lee from True Romantica Bridal trueromanticabridal.co.uk
Bridesmaids' dresses Scarla from Revolve Fashion revolvefashion.co.uk
Hair & make-up Sadaf Ahmad sadafmakeup.com
Groom's outfit Richard James richardjames.co.uk
Chairs & signs Stargazey Wedding Hire stargazeyweddingdecorhire.co.uk
Cake Nicky Grant nickygrant.com
Stationery Knots & Kisses knotsandkisses.co.uk
Transport Treverbyn Cars treverbyncars.com
Lights Say it with Lights sayitwithlights.co.uk
Entertainment Lucy Anna facebook.com/LucyAnnaMusic
Copyright Wed magazine 2017
