Perfectly Unique and With the Most Amazing Guests of Honour Sums up Hannah & Yestin’s Avalen Farm Wedding
It is no secret that Avalen Farm is one of my favourite venues to photograph at and I have been lucky enough to shoot a fair few weddings there this year already. I am also really looking forward to featuring at their Show Case Event later this summer on 11th August (hope to see a few of you there!). I love the buildings, their ethos and the fact that Avalen means ‘Apple Tree’ in Cornish. Each couple that get married there are gifted an apple tree to plant in their orchard. How cool is that?!
However, when I met Hannah and Yestin and they told me of their plans to have not only rabbits but also ponies at their wedding, I literally could not believe my luck!
I met Hannah and Yestin at a wedding fair and instantly felt like they were my kind of people. I remember them mentioning that both rabbits and horses would be present and going home that evening telling my husband that I had met the perfect couple and I really had all my fingers and toes crossed that they would book me! Luckily they did!!
I arrived during bridal prep and all was well under way. Hannah’s dress was hanging, ready for her to get into it and honestly, I was instantly blown away by how unique it was, a blush, lace number with a gorgeous cape, rather than a veil to compliment it. Things then just kept getting better and better as Hannah pulled out her Harry Potter Maraunders Map Vans and the bridesmaids also donned their trainers. It was clear from the word ‘go’ that Hannah and Yestin were doing things well and truly their way!
The time for the ceremony came and there were a few subtle clues laying around for the guests to cast speculation on. Ribbon bound carrots, with the green shoots still attached lay strategically in waiting. Hannah’s love of animals was subtly matched with some of the other décor, a nod to Yestin’s other love, his bike! Old bicycle wheels adorned with eucalyptus and forages greenery dressed the walls of the ceremony barn.
The ceremony was beautifully led by Nicola and Denise of Cornish Celebrants complete with a handfasting ceremony where the couple tied the knot with a couple of snazzy lead ropes from Hannah’s horses. But nothing could knock the ring bearer off the centre stage. And actually, there couldn’t have been another way other than Herbie the pony presenting this couple with their rings, as it turns out that Herbie’s best friend Fatty, was instrumental in helping Yestin pop the question to Hannah some months before!
Herbie was such a star. He strutted down the aisle and stood effortlessly, next to Hannah and Yestin as they declared their vows and exchanged rings. It was as if Herbie knew exactly what he had to do and despite another nod to Harry Potter with his sash that read ‘I solemnly swear I have been up to no good’, no mischief was caused at all.
Of course the ponies (Fatty then joined Herbie after the ceremony) were part of the couples shoot and Yestin was also surprised with his bike that too had been decorated with eucalyptus and foraged greens. His beloved bike also got a few key shots in before I managed to entice Hannah and Yestin away from their loved ones and things and get a couple of photos of just the two of them!
The speeches were fantastic and then the cake cutting was just as eventful which involved a singing cake knife, apparently a tradition in Hannah’s family and to be honest, a tradition that I could get involved in! What fun!
My final slice of happiness for the day was when Hannah was accompanied by her gorgeous, laid back rabbit, Fergus who joined her and Yestin at the top table and took delight in sharing Hannah’s raspberry cheesecake, straight off her plate! Honestly, their could not have been a better end to my time with this couple.
It has been a couple of months since this wedding and I recently checked in with Hannah and Yestin to find out how married life is treating them. It was absolutely no surprise to me, or to you reading this that they opted for a ‘puppymoon’ rather than a honeymoon and have a new addition to their family, Flynn, a gorgeous little golden labrador!! Just perfect!
