Cornish Wedding At Launcells Barton Planned From Australia

Planning your wedding from another country is pretty intense and quite scary, imagine not seeing your venue until your actual wedding?! Well that's exactly what Sophia and David did. They totally hit-it-off on the phone with the Launcells Barton team, and could see the potential in the then unfinished venue. I think this is the key - find suppliers that really understand you and your vision for your wedding, and with a little trust (and fairy dust) it'll all fall into place...

Cornish Wedding At Launcells Barton Planned From Australia

Sophia & David: Our wedding was fully planned from our new home of Melbourne, Australia after getting engaged on Bruny Island in Tasmania. The distance meant we only ever saw the venue through Skype meetings with Lara from Launcells Barton. Not to mention the barn was yet to be built but we happily booked based on a concrete hole and artists impression! Thankfully she made the whole thing completely stress free and seeing it for the first time just two days before the wedding confirmed all of our hopes as it was perfect in every way.

Weekend Wedding At Launcells Barton

The wedding was in Cornwall as we wanted friends and family to make a holiday of it, rather than having it all done in just one day. Family and friends stayed in and around Bude (a town we’d never been to) which gave us a few days of meals, drinks and catch ups. Everyone chipped in to help prepare the venue on the Friday including an awesome team of friends who foraged for greenery to dress the flower arch and tables in the reception hall. Along with the bouquets and hanging foliage from Bleujen the barn looked incredible. David’s dad built us a signpost pointing to all of the places we’d travelled together (as that’s our huge passion ) as well as a postcard guestbook and a Polaroid wall. Our photographer Oli was like having an extra friend who we’d known for years. He blended in with everyone and captured the day so incredibly well including the flawless sunset over the Bude coast. The beautiful hair and make up of the Bride and Bridesmaids was done by Sophia’s good friend Helen, who flew in from Dubai just for the weekend. Guests were greeted to live acoustic guitar and singing in the courtyard of Launcells from Joss White. Another fantastic supplier who the Bride contacted via instagram and met for the first time as she walked down the aisle to his cover of Snow Patrol’s - The Garden Rules.

The Ceremony

We were keen for a ceremony that was as personal and relaxed as possible. Having our good friend Niki, whom we had met doing the Inca Trail in Peru, conduct the ceremony for us was really special. Three readings followed from friends who had travelled from as far as Ilkley in West Yorkshire to Melbourne, Australia. Despite being surrounded by 80 of our closest friends and family, reading our personal vows made us feel like we were the only two people in that beautiful rose garden.

The Food

Every morsel served by Beautiful and the Feast was incredible. It easily ranks as some of the best food we have ever eaten (and Melbourne has the best food on the planet, so that’s saying something). From the delicious canapés to the beef shin and creamy endless potatoes that had guests talking about them for weeks afterwards. Don’t even get us started on those giant sharing pavlovas for dessert (we got our very own just for the two of us!) A big thank you to the team who ensured the Bride and Groom had their own canapés to keep them going while they were busy with photographs and catch ups too. The girls ruled the speeches with Sophia’s mum Annette, maid of honour Emma and herself all addressing the room (because - why not, it’s 2018! I’d hugely recommend this to all brides) along with the traditional Father of the Bride, Groom and Best Men speeches.

The Photography

Oli’s ability to spot perfect lighting was second to none. He whisked us off for 10 minute stints here and there to capture incredible film like photography, ensuring we were never missing out on too much of the big day. He is the best in the game for sure! We were treated to the most incredible sunset. Matt driving us on the back of the tractor to watch it set over the sea was the perfect alone time in the evening as we got a chance to sneak away.

Made With Love Bridal

I was keen to have a little bit of Melbourne with me on the day and totally fell for the Australian style of dress. Made With Love was the first designer I ever pinned back when we first got engaged. When they brought out the Stevie gown I knew it was perfect for me - with the modern lace, low back and easy to wear shape. Carrying that in my hand luggage for a 35 hour journey home was a little stressful though!