"Polhawn Fort was a dream wedding location come true," she says. "The views out to sea and the private beach reminded us of where we first met by the sea and one of our real passions." The couple are now based in Yorkshire, and the week-long celebrations meant guests travelling down from the north could enjoy an extended holiday by the sea. What's more, Polhawn Fort's close proximity to Alison's home town of Plymouth meant her brother, who is a vicar, could take their wedding service at Emmanuel Church, Mannamead. "This made it even more poignant and emotional," she says. "There were not many dry eyes by the time I reached the altar."
Opting for a clean and simple wedding scheme, a palette of green and white carried through the details of the day, from the groomsmen's accessories to the bridesmaids' dresses. Alison wore a glamorous lace gown, which she teamed with a birdcage veil. The green and white tones of the bouquets - a 'just picked' medley of freesias, bouvardia, phlox, mint and thlaspi foliage - were offset with pops of pink: miss piggy roses in coral for the bridesmaids and amnesia roses in antique rose for Alison. Fittingly, the tables were named after beaches the couple had been to and little origami sailing boats made for nautical place names.
After the "incredibly special and emotional ceremony", VW fans Alison and Kyle relished a ride in VW campervan Sky, which took them across the water from Plymouth to Cornwall on the Torpoint Ferry.
Despite heavy rain all morning, within half an hour of their arrival at Polhawn Fort, the skies cleared and guests ventured out onto the lawn. Those that could drag their gaze from the sea views enjoyed Giant Jenga and Connect Four alongside Pimm's and Prosecco, while a classical guitarist performed. The sumptuous wedding feast featured grilled goat's cheese salad, beef Wellington and a trio of desserts comprising chocolate mocha pots, cr�me br�lee and sloe gin Eton mess.
Cutting the cake in the picturesque pagoda made for just one in a day full of standout moments. "It was brilliantly romantic watching the sunset and everyone crowded around and cheered as we cut the cake with the stunning backdrop of the coast behind us," recalls Alison. Ceilidh band Splann then kick-started the evening revelry, ensuring all their guests had raucous fun on the dance floor.
Reflecting on her dreamy extended wedding by the sea, Alison has some top advice for other couples: "Enjoy the day you've spent so long planning. And have a contingency plan if it does rain - we do live in the UK."
Photography Toby Lowe www.tobylowephotography.co.uk
Venue Emmanuel Church followed by Polhawn Fort www.polhawnfort.com
Catering The Round Kitchen www.theroundkitchen.com
Dress Justin Alexander www.justinalexander.com
Bridesmaid dresses Therapy from House of Fraser www.houseoffraser.co.uk
Hair Alison Burt
Groom's outfit Greenwoods Menswear www.greenwoodsonline.com
Flowers St Mellion Flowers www.stmellionflowers.co.uk
Entertainment Splann www.splann.co.uk
Transport www.vwcamperskycornwall.com
Copyright Wed magazine 2015
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