Wedding at Pengenna Manor, Cornwall

Knowing they wanted to wed at St Breoke Church - "It has a lot of sentimental attachment and it was so important for us to be married there," explains Gabby - the couple chose Pengenna Manor for the reception. "Pengenna Manor was the first venue I saw, and I instantly fell in love with the place. I had goosebumps all over; I knew that this was going to be the place where I was going to celebrate my marriage to Allen."

Choosing a colour scheme of vintage creams, dusty pinks and mauve alongside wild ivy complemented the country shabby chic theme the couple embraced for their big day, with Allen choosing a coordinating mauve tie to bring the colour into his outfit. Meanwhile, one gown just wasn't enough for Gabby, who changed from her 'glamour with an air of refinement' Lusan Mandongus dress to a satin and lace ivory Mooshki gown. "A treasured moment was when I surprised Allen with my secret second wedding dress," she remembers. "He was standing outside Pengenna Manor and the look on his face said it all, like I was the only person there... I had to give a twirl, it was a twirling kind of dress!"

With the nuptials beginning at church, Allen was dubious about Gabby arriving on time... but she did! "When I first saw Gabby walking down the aisle, I knew in that moment that I was the luckiest man in the world," he says. "I was about to marry this wonderful woman, my best friend, and I couldn't be happier."

Their beautiful service was followed by a trip back to Pengenna in Daimlers and a vintage MG in time for garden games, a live singer and a second-to-none wedding breakfast. Starters of honey-roasted figs with Cornish Blue cheese and a main course of pan-seared duck breast were rounded off by an indulgent chocolate torte. 

 Into the evening, guests were treated to a dance floor-filling DJ set, while energy levels were kept up with hog roast rolls and a four-tiered cake made by Gabby's family. "It was my grandmother's recipe; my

mum and I made the cake with help from Allen, my sister-in-law decorated it beautifully, and the cake base was a lovely piece of wood from my cousin's woods."

As for Gabby's tips for others planning a wedding, she advises: "Work together, communicate and take the time for each other. Combine your ideas, as it's a day for both of you - and, importantly, enjoy it, as all that planning flies by in one day. It's totally worth it."

Groom's suit Next next.co.uk

Bridesmaids' dresses Monsoon monsoon.co.uk

Hair Emilie's Professional Hairdressing emiliesprohaircornwall.co.uk

Marquee Hatch Marquee Hire 

Marquee styling Unique Designs By Tina uniquedesignsbytina.com

Transport HR Wedding Cars & South West Travel facebook.com/SWT2006

Flowers Flowers From Bruallen bruallen.co.uk

Entertainment Lucy Anna facebook.com/lucyannamusic

R2 Events r2events.co.uk

Bar Bars With Legs 

Stationery English Rose Stationery englishrosestationery.com