We started working with Shaina and Daniel just 8 weeks before their intimate wedding. They wanted to get married in the UK as it was the ideal place to bring their two families together. This was no mean feat as the couple are based in New Carolina in America. We discussed a number of venue options, with the couple quickly settling on Porthpean House as the venue for their special day.
Why choose Porthpean House?
With 20 adults and 7 children in their group the property and next-door lodge were perfect for their whole family group to be accommodated.
Porthpean House is a dream small wedding venue. It combines period splendour and comfort with beautiful gardens and views over the sea. What’s more there is a wonderful secret pathway to the beach immediately below the property. It also has a claim to fame. It’s the beautiful big house by the sea that stars in Richard Curtis’ romcom, About Time.
A small wedding ceremony by the sea
Their wedding ceremony was led by celebrant Rebecca Morris as due to their non-resident status they were unable to have a legal wedding in the UK. However, with a signed certificate provided by Rebecca and their witnesses they are easily able to solemnise their vows when they get home. This arrangement meant they could have a very personal wedding ceremony with their families around them in a place they loved.
Scrumptious wedding catering
They planned a three-night stay for their guests at Porthpean House and we arranged chef catering on the night of arrival, their wedding day and for a slap-up breakfast the morning after the main event. This meant a none of the stress of shopping or cooking for the wedding party and some thoroughly scrumptious food! There were a few bumps in the road as their main chef had to pull out at short notice for family reasons, but we took control of the situation providing an alternative chef for Shaina and Daniel at the same time as letting them know that their booked chef could no longer help them. It was a busy 24 hours, but worth it to ensure our couple were not stressed by the situation. Due to the number of guests we arranged additional furniture chosen by the couple so that dining could be set up to match the size of their group for the weekend.
Working remotely with bridal stylists
Shaina wanted to arrange bridal hair and make-up at the house prior to her wedding ceremony, and after discuss options she chose to work with the award-winning duo Hair by Emma C and Stacey Cremin. Usually our brides do not have a trial before their wedding day, although this can be arranged. Rather our brides send their stylists images of themselves on a “normal” day and images of the hair and make up style they have in mind. This is usually followed up by a phone or Skype consultation to discuss details and the approach that the stylist will take on the day. As you can see from the photographs Shaina looked beautiful!
Wedding day flowers
The bridal bouquet, Daniel’s groom’s buttonhole and flowers for their naked wedding cake were provided by Louise of Gorse and Thorn, again with all communication done remotely. wonder what we did before we had Pinterest?! It would certainly make arranging a wedding remotely more difficult. Their wedding cake was created based on the couples’ choice of flavours, fillings and finish by Jenna of Jenna’s Signature Bakes and looked amazing adorned with flowers by Gorse and Thorn.
Finishing touches
The final touches including arranging a solo violinist to play during the wedding ceremony in the form of Sue of Classical Strings. Sue was so helpful to the couple, even providing some great suggestions for pieces that she could play at different points during the ceremony. This was a lovely touch and really added to the wedding ceremony.
The whole day wedding was planned and coordinated by wonderful Phoebe of Piccolo Weddings.
As Shaina and Daniel said,
“Jane and everyone she arranged to help with our wedding (including the wedding planner, hair, makeup, flowers, violinist, cake, photography, food and venue) did an amazing job! It is a day that we and our families will never forget.”
Late availability
As Porthpean House only gained its wedding license last July so we’re in a lucky position of having some 2020 dates still available.
If you feel a wedding at this beautiful venue might tick your boxes, here are some dates that we have available at time of publishing.
Friday Feb 21 to Friday March 6
Friday Mar 13 to Friday 20
Monday April 27 to Friday May 1
Monday May 18 to Friday 22
Monday June 15 to Friday June 19
Tuesday Jun 30 to Friday July 3
Contact jane@petiteweddings.co.uk to check any dates that may be of interest and request a no obligation quote.
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