Fay and Sam's wedding ceremony from the heart at Kilminorth

As independent wedding celebrants, we always feel incredibly fortunate to meet couples we truly connect with – it means that without a doubt, their wedding ceremony will be from the heart and one of the best we will write and deliver that year! Adorable Fay and Sam were one such couple, and they contacted us almost 18 months before their big day to check availability (a very wise move for a summer wedding).

Planning the perfect ceremony

Even before booking, Fay and Sam were clear about their vision – a relaxed, outdoor ceremony in the beautiful wild meadow at Kilminorth. And since their choice of venue is also licensed for legal ceremonies, it really did highlight their appreciation for the bespoke touch only an independent celebrant can provide. Our initial chat confirmed our connection, and they booked our services without a moment’s hesitation!

When the time came to complete their initial questionnaire, Sam and Fay did a blinding job, and it was lovely to catch up with them to discuss all the details – something which they later said they also really enjoyed. Couples as open and thoughtful as they are make the entire process a joy. By early March, their ceremony script was ready, well ahead of their July celebration.

Venue visit to Kilminorth

In the meantime, we arranged for a site visit to Kilminorth to meet Jayne and her fabulous team, particularly because we wanted to check out the ceremony space and the backup location in case of rain, and also because we wanted to check out the acoustics. Kilminorth is a highly recommended venue in a tranquil valley setting with landscaped grounds, a swimming pool, tennis courts, woodlands, and 14 beautifully restored cottages set within 32 acres of ancient manor farmland. For us – this was love at first sight!

While we were falling in love with Kilminorth, Fay and Sam had reviewed the first draft of their ceremony, expressing their delight with an email saying, “We love it, thank you so much! We love how you have captured our personalities and stories.” Alongside this, having received our special ‘how to’ guide, they were also working on their bespoke vows. And with some fine-tuning of the ceremony and a little phone chat on the morning before the big day, everything was set.

The ceremony unfolds…

Saturday 26 July arrived, and the weather was simply perfect. After a rather warm spell, the temperatures had settled down, and with just a few clouds scudding around in the sky, there was little chance of rain – meaning that everyone could enjoy the outdoor beauty of Kilminorth to the max. We arrived at the venue just as Sam arrived with his best men, Tom and Chris, and we were all greeted by photographer Andy, who was already busy taking shots.

With plenty of time to set up, Rick, our technician, made preparations to ensure the mics and PA were ready to go, while I took the opportunity to meet many of the guests – always a special time! – and check in with Fay and Sam’s musician friends who would be playing for the ceremony, along with those contributing readings during the ceremony. It was also lovely to look around the decorated spaces for the later celebrations – thoughtfully curated and highly personalised, including tiny origami cranes made from folded sheet music, and numerous photos of our couple over the years! And it really wasn’t long before Fay and her party arrived on site, and it was so nice to have a little moment with them.

And this was one of our favourite ceremonies of the year. Fay was escorted by her feisty flower girl niece Hettie, her beautiful bridesmaid sister Penny, and her proud Dad Adrian – and as they walked down the aisle, they were accompanied by the quartet playing “How Long Will I Love You”... there were indeed quite a few tears at this touching moment.

The ceremony included lively group vows, a beautiful ring warming managed perfectly by the best men, and a nostalgic recounting of Fay and Sam's journey together – right from their first meeting during their Masters’ studies to the romantic proposal and beyond. Special readings, including one themed from Fay’s favourite show, Friends, and read by her sister, Penny, and another by Sam's sister, Becca – “Wild Awake” by Hilary T. Smith – and a last-minute addition written and delivered by Fay’s Auntie Caroline, all complemented the ceremony perfectly. We also took a moment to acknowledge those grandparents present, with marriages lasting over 60 years, acknowledging that their legacy of love was not only a source of inspiration, but also the foundation upon which Fay and Sam were building their own futures…

Personal highlights

Every wedding has its unique charm, but for me, the personal highlight was undoubtedly the vows. (It often is!) Fay and Sam expressed themselves with such eloquence, emotion and humour that it was both moving and entertaining! Their words were a testament to their love, commitment and deep friendship, capturing the essence of their relationship in a way that really resonated with everyone present.

Following these words of commitment, rings were exchanged, and the couple made their grand exit to a chorus of cheers and the timeless tunes of a Stevie Wonder classic. This joyous atmosphere was palpable.

We have to say, Fay and Sam really were our dream clients. They embodied thoughtfulness, ease, and a sense of fun, all while remaining authentic to who they are. These qualities were beautifully reflected in their wedding ceremony, making it a celebration that was memorable, personal and true to them. How lucky we felt to have been a part of such a special day!

Following up

Sam and Fay generously dropped me a lovely email not long after their wedding (along with some photos of some of the entertainment which followed, including a surprise ABBA tribute group made up of Fay’s sister and cousins!), saying, “Thank you for everything you did on the day and leading up to it; you put us both at ease and made the whole ceremony feel warm and stress-free. So many of the guests have said how personal the ceremony was and how much they enjoyed it. We've left you a Google review which hopefully captures how wonderful you were and that we would be first to recommend you to anyone.”

And here is the review:

We cannot thank Lisa enough for everything she did to create the most beautiful wedding ceremony for us. As soon as we came across Celebrant in Cornwall and had our first Zoom call with Lisa, we knew we wanted her to be our celebrant - she was warm, friendly and put us at ease immediately. She took the time to get to know us, and we had great fun along the way filling in the questionnaire Lisa provided. Nothing was too much trouble, Lisa was always so quick to reply to any questions and helped to incorporate a last minute surprise reading from a family member.

The phone call to both of us the day before our wedding in check-in was a lovely touch. On the day, we knew we would have nothing to worry about in Lisa’s safe hands. The ceremony was everything we had hoped it would be and more, filled with laughs, tears and so much love and happiness. We had so many friends and family say it was the best and most personal ceremony they had been to. Lisa’s passion for her job is clear and we wouldn’t hesitate recommending her.”

Thank you so much, Sam and Fay; you cannot know how much your wedding ceremony meant to me. It was special in every way. Including Fay's gorgeous dress, which was supplied by our very own Caroline at Bridal Gossip in Wadebridge, and the photos taken by one of our favourite human beings - Andy from U Got The Love! He and I do adore working together – it’s just the best energy! – so readers, do book us together for the best ceremony and the most incredible photos! (And if you want, you can catch up with both of us on this podcast episode we recorded!)