Armed with an £8000 budget and a desire to plan a wedding that showcased their world, Clare and Phil planned their Cornish wedding to include all of their favourite things. “Cornwall, the trees, autumn berries, the smell of the wood fired food, the sea air and surfing”, is how the bride descried their day.

They were married in October at Retorrick Mill, Newquay. Their ceremony took place in the marquee outside, while their guests sat on comfy sofas instead of chairs or, as is so often seen at boho style weddings, hay bales. “I’d never been to a wedding where there was a sofa aisle”, Clare said. “We had about 35 people to the ceremony and they all sat on comfy seats with a beer or glass of bubbly in hand. It definitely wasn’t planned that way, but it worked and we were so relaxed about everything. Mike, our photographer, really captured how it relaxed everyone to sit and just chill.”

Officiated by Clare’s step brother, the ceremony began with a mention for both Phil’s dad and Clare’s step dad who are no longer with us. “That meant so much to us both. I walked down the aisle to Mango Tree by Angus and Julia Stone, alongside my bridesmaid Daisy and two flower girls, Florie and Kaia.”

To save money, they called in favours from everyone they could. Clare’s friend, Sarah, made her wedding ring. The cake, venue, B&B, hair and transport were all gifts too. “We’re pretty sure that Wilf supplied a good amount of jagerbombs for free as well! Phil’s and his best man’s suit came from Topman and I wore a pair of old shoes. It made it all very personal and helped us to keep the cost down.”

“Just go with what reflects you both”, Clare concludes. “Don’t get too caught up thinking about other people’s weddings and what they did. Party like a rock star until you can’t dance anymore and take every opportunity to tell those that made the effort to be with you how much you love them.”