Wedding at The Wheelhouse, Isles of Scilly

Having first met at the University of Sheffield, Jen and Dan later moved to East London to set up home together. "Working as town planners around the Olympic Park and Docklands was great fun but we were in the grind of city life, wishing for our weekends!" explains Jen. "So in March 2011, we made the move to the Isles of Scilly to take over a beachside guest house, The Wheelhouse. We have now completed our fifth season and love our new way of life on Scilly!"



After Dan popped the question during a camping trip on the tiny island of St Agnes, the pair set about planning their intimate island wedding in just five months - and their new home was very much at the centre of the day.



Commencing with a candlelit ceremony in the atmospheric setting of Old Town Church, the party moved onto The Wheelhouse for champagne and canapes - "it was wonderful to celebrate 'at home' with all our close family and friends" - and concluded at Juliet's Garden Restaurant where the evening reception took place before stunning views across St Mary's Harbour.



Their island location inspired everything from the food and flowers to the stationery, jewellery and bridesmaids' dresses. "I had my heart set on a watercolour illustration of Old Town Church for our invitations, as it has such a stunning setting," explains Jen. "I wanted to share this with our guests, many of whom had never been to the Isles of Scilly before." The specially commissioned illustration of the church, seashells and local narcissi featured on the invitations, order of service and table plans, and were met to rapturous acclaim from their guests.



Jen dazzled in a lace ivory-gold gown with a high illusion back, while her bridesmaids wore "a pale sea green colour, similar to the sea tones around Scilly" and seashell jewellery handcrafted by Fay Page on St Martin's. The stunning wedding flowers were a team effort, and featured cream Vendela and miniature roses mixed in with Scilly narcissi.



The locally sourced delights continued with the canapes from Tanglewood Kitchen: think Scilly crab and avocado filo cups and Salakee Farm duck liver p�te with melba toast. The sub-tropical islands served up similarly tantalising flavours - including grilled sole fillets, crab pappardelle pasta, chargrilled lamb cutlets and Eton Tidy - at Juliet's Garden Restaurant in the evening.



"Saying our vows and getting married in the beautiful and intimate church at Old Town was definitely one of the day's highlights," reflects Jen, who advises a relaxed approach to the planning process. "Don't panic! We organised our wedding in just less than five months without having any major stresses or problems. It was the best day of our lives. Enjoy all the planning, stay focused, and don't let people put unnecessary pressures on you!" -



Photography Christian Michael
Venue Old Town Church, The Wheelhouse www.thewheelhousescilly.co.uk and Juliet's Garden Restaurant www.julietsgardenrestaurant.co.uk
Catering Tanglewood Kitchen www.tanglewoodkitchen.co.uk and St Juliet's Garden Restaurant www.julietsgardenrestaurant.co.uk
Dress Justin Alexander at The Bridal House of Cornwall www.thebridalhouseofcornwall.co.uk
Bridesmaids' dresses Maids to Measure www.maidstomeasure.com
Groom's outfit Reiss www.reiss.com and Kate Temple www.katetemple.co.uk
Hair and make-up Blondes Hair and Beauty www.facebook.com/BlondeHairandBeauty
Transport St Mary's Classic Car Tours 01720 422479
Stationery Papermonkeys www.papermonkeys.co.uk
Cake Becky's Scilly Cakes www.beckysscillycakes.webs.com

Copyright Wed magazine 2015