Last year, I joined Charlotte and Kai on their greatest adventure yet! How is it a year ago since you both became Mr and Mrs Shrimpton?
Charlotte spent many the summer, holidaying in the south of England on the Cornish coastline, she has so many fond memories because of this with her family. When she met Kai at Uni, she introduced him to her second home and he loved it too.
Therefore, when they got engaged there was one place close to their hearts for them to celebrate together. Charlotte and Kai looked at many locations in Cornwall that were as close to the beach as possible, they narrowed it down to just two. The first one they went to see just didn't feel right and was further from the beach than it first appeared. After visiting Carbis Bay on the wettest day in February 2020 with Storm Dennis fast approaching they fell in love. It looked so beautiful and perfect even on a stormy day, so they could only imagine how it would look on a sunny one.
Charlotte gushed many times to me before the wedding, “The light in the bay was just magical, the stormy sea was still a beautiful Mediterranean turquoise. Until you've been and seen it for yourself you won't believe it.”
Following their visit, they asked if they could have their dogs with them and the venue said yes, it was then when they just knew Carbis Bay was the perfect place for them.
The day itself was more perfect than they could have ever imagined, it began with a rainbow for starters, they enjoyed the food, especially the traditional Cornish Pasties they had in the evening and cake, made by Charlotte's Nanny Maureen was delicious. Plus having their family-dogs with them, took away the stress of worrying if they were ok and who they were with.
Charlotte and Kai had very fittingly gone for a seaside theme with shells galore. For them, it was natural to go with the beach theme, they wanted neutral colours as the venue was already decorated so beautifully with the backdrop of the bay. They collected the shells from their local fishmongers at Doncaster Market (B Taylor and Son) and got most of the crafty bits for the decorations from Etsy. Another reason this themed fitted so perfectly, was due to Charlotte studying Marine and Freshwater Biology at University- this is where they met, so was the in inspiration behind the table name Aberystwyth.
HERE'S SOME OF THEIR FONDEST MEMORIES A YEAR ON...
Both: “Figuring out how to dance to our first dance song, that we soon realised wasn't meant for slow dancing (and succeeding!)”
Charlotte: “Every single moment - really! 🙈
Having walked up the aisle to Kai, he turned to me and said "you look so beautiful.” My dad seeing me for the first time, he got all choked up and his words being "wow" and watching my mum and dad dance to the same song mum and her dad (grandad) danced to at her wedding. Also, having our family and closest friends there to celebrate with us.”
Kai: “Charlotte saying yes! The first kiss as Husband and Wife and Bear getting giddy after trying to contain his excitement during the confetti throw. I loved our beach photos too.”
TIPS FOR PLANNING A LONG DISTANCE WEDDING
We organised and made as many decorations as we could (with lots of help from family-especially Charlotte's Mum 😉) to take down with us so the handover to the events team was easy (lots of clear labelling too!)
Having an amazing wedding events team to be there to answer any and all questions we had right from booking - they thought of things we hadn't thought of!
Create a checklist and check it twice before setting off (taking pics of things as you pack them reassures you and saves you unpacking to check).
A smaller wedding would be more suited to this, there's less to worry about (and you can just about get away with not renting a van to take everything with you!
KIND WORDS FROM THEM ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE WITH ME!
“Our amazing photographer Fiona, who we cannot thank enough for being so wonderful, she agreed to travel all that way to capture our wedding. We had so many compliments on how relaxed you made everyone feel whilst taking photos and we've already had nearly everyone say "I didn't know she was taking one then" and "awh she's captured that perfectly" and "I can't believe she snapped that" when looking at our sneak peeks pics.
All of the moments you wish to capture on your special day Fiona will already have them on her camera and will go out of her way to research the area to ensure you have photos even more incredible than you expected. Thank you!” Thanks so much you guys, happy anniversary!! x
SHOUT OUT TO SUPPLIERS!
Photos: Anoif Photography | The dress: It's Bliss Bridal, Doncaster | The shoes: The Perfect Bridal Company | Tiara and earrings: Helen Curtis Tiaras, Made in St Ives | The rings: Beaverbrookes | Kai's suit and tie: Baker's Tailoring, Marc Darcy Suit | Tie pin: LittleWoodpeckerUK | Shoes: Burton | Venue: Carbis Bay Estate | Food: Same and local Cornish Pasties | Cake: Nanny Maureen | DJ: Stuart Morrell