Opting for a relaxed, country style wedding in the idyllic rural setting of Ta Mill, parents and friends pitched in to help London-based Gemma and Dan plan their weekend of celebrations - from making bunting and pompoms to chutneys and cheese. "They all wanted to contribute and played an important role making it the best weekend of our lives - we couldn't have done it without them," says Gemma.
The flowers carried the palette of grey and dusky pink beautifully. "My bridesmaids are budding florists: we all took a floristry course together for another friend's wedding, so we could all help to make the flowers for the day," Gemma explains. "I loved my bouquet, especially the unique amnesia roses, which were also our buttonholes."
Accompanied by bridesmaids in floor-skimming lace, Gemma dazzled in her Pronovias gown; the colours of her bouquet echoed the grey and pink tones of Dan's tie, which added a pop of colour to his three-piece navy suit. The rustic-chic marquee was dressed with a carnival of bunting, paper pompoms and trestle tables topped with pretty bundles of blooms and London Underground signs for table names.
The church service was a memorable and uplifting affair, complete with a performance from Callington Gospel Choir. "It was a wonderful way to lift the ceremony and get everyone singing and dancing in church," reflects Gemma. "They even sang us out to 'Oh Happy Day'!"
The party mood continued at Ta Mill: guests were presented with a bounty of delights, from canapes of mini pasties, savoury scones and chicken cocktail sausages to a hog roast and mouth-watering mini meringues, brownies and strawberries. In the evening, there was a dance floor-filling set from party band, Decade, whose performance of the first dance song, Bruno Mars' 'Marry You,' "sounded better than the original!" enthuses Gemma.
Gemma encourages other couples to plan a personal day - without obsessing about the details. "Work out what are the most important things to you and stick to that. Ours were good food, lots of wine, an energetic band, the dress I wanted and most importantly being able to invite all the people we wanted. We certainly felt like we achieved all that."
"Make sure you delegate to friends and family," she adds. "It certainly takes the pressure off you and makes them feel involved."
Photography Dan Ward www.danward.co.uk
Venue St Mary's Church, Callington and Ta Mill www.tamill.co.uk
Marquee Absolute Canvas www.absolutecanvas.co.uk
Dress Pronovias www.pronovias.com
Rings Millers www.millersjewellers.co.uk
Bridesmaids' dresses Phase Eight www.phase-eight.com
Flower girls' dresses Primark www.primark.com
Hair and make-up Lavish Hair and Beauty www.lavishhairandbeauty.co.uk
Groom's outfit Blooms Menswear www.bloomsmenswear.co.uk
Flowers St Mellion Flowers www.stmellionflowers.co.uk
Hog roast Piglet Cottage www.pigletcottage.com
Copyright Wed magazine 2016
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