Rachel and Will’s Personal, Heartfelt and Fun filled Carwinnion House Wedding
Nothing could have captured Rachel and Will’s sense of humour and their inseparable dynamic better than the very first few minutes of the day. After greeting Rachel and her girls in the bridal suite of the main house, I asked if they’d decided when the buttonholes were going to be pinned over at groom prep — a key moment I love to photograph on every wedding day.
“One second,” Rachel replied, picking up a walkie-talkie. She leaned in and said, “Bride to Groom, come in, Bride to Groom.”
A crackling response came back: “This is Groom, how can I help?”
I was blown away. What a brilliant, playful way for them to stay connected on the morning of their wedding! For a couple who weren’t doing things by the book, yet still wanted to share the excitement of getting ready together, this little radio exchange was pure genius — and so perfectly them.
The Venue
Where do I start with Carwinion House? It’s such a beautiful place. This 18th-century country house sits above a wide lawn that rolls down to the walled garden and ponds beyond. Inside, it’s full of character — a mix of old charm and quirky touches, with trinkets and artwork everywhere you look. The bridal suite is bright and airy, and I loved that it overlooks the lawn so Rachel and her girls could watch all the last bits of setup happening below.
Through a small gap in the wisteria-covered wall, you step into the gardens — full of wildflowers, bees buzzing around the lavender and cosmos. Following the path down leads you to a terrace and a Raj-style marquee tucked perfectly into the landscape. A little further on is the pond-view ceremony space: green, calm, and effortlessly beautiful, with a rustic floral arch framing the vows.
Carwinion House has been lovingly restored in recent years, and it really shows. The gardens feel relaxed but cared for, and the whole place has that mix of history, creativity, and Cornish countryside charm that makes it a joy to photograph.
The Ceremony
The ceremony itself was a windy one, which worked in our favour — the breeze caught Rachel’s veil perfectly and sent her dress swooshing in all the right moments (a dream for photos!). Despite the blustery weather, there was so much laughter between Rachel and Will; they couldn’t stop smiling at each other as they stood surrounded by their favourite people.
There were some really lovely personal touches too. Rachel’s mum read the lyrics to Bruce Springsteen’s If I Should Fall Behind, Will’s friend shared a heartfelt reading, and even the celebrant added her own words. It all felt so warm and personal — full of emotion and little moments that said so much about them as a couple. And then came the confetti… big, bold, and absolutely everywhere — just the way it should be!
The Reception & Wedding Breakfast
The personal touches carried through every part of the day, and I loved how much of Rachel and Will’s personalities were woven into the details. Music played a big role — each table was named after one of their favourite songs, and every guest found a personally chosen lyric written inside their place card. Such a thoughtful touch.
The creativity didn’t stop there. Will’s mum had made the cake and commissioned miniature ceramic models of the couple and their dogs to sit on each tier — a detail that had everyone smiling. There were Polaroids of every guest, ready to be signed and pegged up on a washing-line guest book, which slowly filled with happy faces and messages of love as the day went on.
And then, of course, the tattoos! Rachel and Will had designed matching hula-shirt tattoos featuring themselves — temporary ones that everyone wore proudly, Granny included!
And just when you thought it couldn’t get any more fun, both of Will’s brothers changed into surprise outfits — hula shirts with Rachel and Will’s faces printed on them! It was a hilarious, joyful moment that perfectly captured the playful, relaxed vibe of the day.
Couple Shots
Rachel and Will didn’t want to spend too much time away from their guests, so we kept our couple session short and sweet — just ten minutes — and made the most of every moment. Even in that short time, we focused on capturing a mix of fun, playful shots and those quieter, more romantic moments that really show their connection.
We started in front of the house, using its character and charm as a backdrop, then wandered up a little lane for some natural, relaxed shots. Finally, we made our way to the swing, which gave some brilliant, joyful moments — perfect for a few more playful images.
The Speeches
The speeches were some of the most heartfelt I’ve ever heard — the kind that catch you off guard and make you tear up behind the camera (guilty!). Both dads gave speeches, along with the bride, groom, sister of the bride, and best man — each one filled with warmth, humour, and so much love.
A few moments really stayed with me, especially when Rachel stood up and said, “I’m sorry we don’t see as much of you as we should, but we just really love hanging out, just the two of us.” To me, that’s the epitome of love — simple, honest, and completely them.
I also loved how they listed all the little things they adore about each other. When else in life do you get to stand up in front of your favourite people and celebrate your person like that? It was genuine, emotional, and such a joy to capture.
