In January 2017, as we had just laid the foundations of our new Reception Barn, Sophia and David got in contact about holding their wedding with us, the only thing was they weren’t actually going to see the venue until a couple of days before, as they were now living in Australia due to work! Sophia’s family are from Cumbria and David’s from the Midlands, so they wanted a neutral location and somewhere that had a special meaning for them both. As they both love travelling and reminiscing about trips together, Cornwall was where they wanted to bring everyone together on their special day!
With a laptop in hand and iphone for back up due to the then sketchy Wifi, that we were still trying to get set up across the venue, I sat down to do my very first Skype viewing! As I walked around showing Sophia and David the different parts of the venue and standing in front of a muddy trench explaining what was going to be built, it became apparent, just how lovely they both were and what a lovely journey this was going to be with them!
Every few months, we would sit down in front our laptops and have a chat about how all the wedding planning was coming along and even though they were 1000’s of miles away, we had such fun laughing getting to know one another.
Then the day came, just two days before there wedding, when I was going to meet them both for the very first time and they were going to see the venue for real! Slightly nerve wracking, but thankfully they were ecstatic and absolutely over the moon, which was a huge relief! After talking to them so much in the run up to their wedding, meeting them in person for the first time was like catching up with old friends!
Only a few days later and Sophia, David and all their friends and family arrived to set up for their wedding. I have to say it was one of the most relaxed set up’s I’d ever been a part of-baring in mind the couple had organised everything from across the globe and were meeting their suppliers for the very first time! With music on and everyone laughing and joking, everything turned out beautifully, as they had complete trust in all their chosen suppliers.
Bleujen created a gorgeous hanging wreath, full of greenery that hung from the centre beam in the Reception Barn. They also styled the arbour for the couple’s outdoor ceremony with brightly coloured peonies and roses to give a pop of colour!
On the morning of their wedding as the sun shone, reminding her of the Summer she had just left behind in Oz, Sophia got ready with her friends and family around her. Meanwhile David got ready close by, before making his way to Launcells Barton.
Sophia looked out of this world in a fitted lace dress with a simple full length veil.
It was soon time for the guests to start arriving and Sophia to get ready to walk across to the Walled Garden to meet her Groom, accompanied by some gorgeous acoustic music by Joss White.
Sophia and David kept their ceremony really relaxed and personal to the both of them. With readings and poems from their friends, personal vows and with everyone from across the World coming together to celebrate, there wasn’t a dry eye throughout the whole ceremony!
After their ceremony Sophia, David and all their guests headed out into the courtyard for drinks, canapés and lawn games.
While their guests were happy chatting and sipping on Pimms, with acoustic music playing throughout the courtyard, Sophia and David popped off for a few photos.
We then announced guests through the walled garden to take their seats for the wedding breakfast in the Reception Barn, before guests enjoyed sharing platters catered for by Beautiful and the Feast.
The Launcells Barton team made sure everyone had a full glass, as the speeches got underway. David also said a lovely heartfelt thank you to us for all the support they had received, which really meant a lot, as we do genuinely care about our couples and making sure they have the best day!
As their DJ John Green set up and guests relaxed in the bar and lawns outside the Reception Barn, Sophia and David hopped on to our tractor and Matt drove them off to catch the sunset…. and what a sunset it was!!
The newlyweds even took the time to go for a little walk just the two of them and being a farmers Grand- daughter, Sophia had no problem climbing the gates… even in that breathtaking gown!
Relaxed after their walk, they were then welcomed back by all their guests and the evening party began!!
A few words from the gorgeous Bride herself- Sophia ” What can we say… booking a venue which wasn’t yet built, in a town we’d never been to seems like a crazy idea when we think back. But putting our faith in Matt and Lara was the best decision. The whole planning process was a breeze with Lara on hand to answer all our questions. When we finally saw the venue, three days before the big day…despite the fog, we could tell it was as beautiful as the Skype videos we’d seen. The house is amazing, with more than enough space for a full bridal party. The walled garden was the perfect spot for an outdoor ceremony; a real sun trap which literally smells of roses! And the barn and grounds which provided so many areas for our guests to enjoy. We had the most amazing wedding and mini adventure in Bude, thanks team Launcells! So nice that we both feel like old friends rather than supplier and client. Sure you guys don’t fancy a trip over to Melbourne!? x”
These absolutely gorgeous images are thanks to the very talented Oli McGivern. Oli photographed one of our very first weddings and came down from London to work with us on our first Winter styled shoot back in 2017. We even changed the positioning of some of the windows in the Reception Barn at the very last minute, due to Oli explaining – over a few glasses of wine- about the lighting and mathematics of getting the best possible light for photographs! I still don’t understand the maths side of things, but he does get some incredible shots!!
Oli– “It was a joy to be back at my favourite venue with such a lovely couple and their friends who made me feel like one of the gang. My first return since the new barn was put in and Matt & Lara have done a fantastic job with it. The sun’s hat was firmly on and once again Launcells retains its title as the Easiest Venue to Photograph at the 2018 McGivern Photography Venue Awards. “
As Sophia and David settle back in to life in Australia, but this time as man and wife, we wish nothing but happiness for you both. It was a privilege to be a part of your special day and be welcomed as a friend by yourselves and all your friends and family who just couldn’t have been lovelier! We’re sure there will be lots of adventures to come as you continue to explore the World, but we hope that you will stay in touch and look back at your time in Cornwall as one of the happiest of your life!
