Adam & Kaydie — Our Just Us Wedding Story

Tell me a little bit about the two of you.
How did you meet and how long have you been together?

We met online, through trusty Tinder. Instantly we fell in love, and after the first date I couldn’t wait to introduce Adam to my family to get their approval. Of course they approved instantly. We have since been together for 3 years, but have already achieved so much.

How did the proposal happen?
Was it planned, spontaneous, romantic, funny… or a complete surprise?

For me, it was a complete surprise. We travelled to Cornwall for a long weekend away and whilst watching the sunset in Perranporth sand dunes, our little boy Jude came running towards me wearing a “mummy will you marry daddy” bib. When I turned around, Adam was there on one knee. It was like a movie scene.

What made you decide that a smaller, more intimate wedding was right for you?

We just knew we wanted to be a family, all sharing the same last name. Us, our immediate friends and family and the marriage. All done with minimal stress and expectations. We didn’t want to spend thousands on a wedding to impress others, and instead wanted to use the money we saved on travelling and making precious memories together as The Ireson’s.

Planning your wedding

Where did you choose to get married and why did you choose that particular place?

Cornwall holds a special place in our heart, from Adam visiting throughout his childhood to our engagement. Cornwall is our bubble, the lack of signal and beautiful views are what made us choose the location. Chi Aberfala was recommended to us by Cornwall registrars, and it really did impress. 

What was most important to you when planning your wedding?

The most important thing for us when planning our wedding was ensuring we could accommodate our immediate family and friends to travel and stay in Cornwall, which included a 7 hour journey. A local premier inn was available and did the job. 

Did you always know you wanted a registry office/intimate wedding, or did your plans change along the way?

I had always dreamt of a big princess wedding and we did enquire about many Cornish venues. However, we continued to question if the stress of planning and financing this idea was worth it. That’s when our plans changed and we reminded ourselves of why we wanted to marry, and that was to be a family, not impress others and bankrupt ourselves. 

What did you love about keeping your wedding smaller?

Every detail and moment was captured beautifully. The stress was slim to none, and every guest was included. It was just us, our closest people and that was perfect. 

Was there anything you decided to skip because it simply didn’t feel like “you”?

We skipped many traditional things like being given “away” at the alter, a first dance and speeches. Instead we incorporated speeches into our personal vows and enjoyed watching the sunset on the beach.

The wedding day

How were you both feeling on the morning of the wedding?

Excited, loved and also nervous. The same feelings anyone would feel on their wedding day, whether attending a registry office or a lavish venue. We enjoyed breakfast together, read letters to the bride and departed with a kiss before meeting again at the alter. 

What was your favourite moment from the ceremony?

Every part of the ceremony went perfectly. A surprise voice message was played to Adam from his Best Man living in Australia as well as a personal message from my grandparent who has passed. Even though some loved ones weren’t present, the ceremony felt incredibly personal and as if they were all watching.

Was there a moment during the day when you looked at each other and thought, “We’re actually married!”?

Whilst posing for intimate photos on top of Fistral headland cliff, we looked at each other and both said at the same time, “We’re married!” We felt on top of the world, and in absolute awe of each other. 

What was the funniest or most unexpected moment of the day?

When walking down the hill to Fistral beach, the amount of kind strangers congratulating us, complimenting my dress and capturing us walking together was incredibly unexpected but also the most heartfelt feeling. That made me feel like a princess, and that was without the big expensive wedding. 

Who joined you to celebrate?

16 of us altogether, including parents, siblings and our closest friends. The people we talk to daily and couldn’t imagine life without. 

What did you do after the ceremony?

After photos, we headed to The stables Fistral beach restaurant where we booked an entire row of tables to share the evening together surrounded with each other and pizza. We watched the sunset, and dipped our toes in the sand. Despite being in a public place for our reception, we still did the confetti throw, flower toss and danced the night away.

If you could relive one moment from the day, what would it be?

It would be impossible to choose one singular moment, every moment of the day was beyond perfect. However, if I did have to choose, it would be watching the sunset, taking it all in and looking at each other with the biggest smiles on our faces.

Your wedding photography

Why was having a photographer there important to you, even though you were having a smaller wedding?

Having a smaller wedding doesn’t mean you aren’t applicable to having beautiful photos from your day to look back on those captured moments. We still wanted to have beautifully captured and edited photos to hang in our family home and share with those who weren’t able to attend. 

What made you choose Checkered Photography to photograph your day?

It was actually a blessing in disguise. Our photographer who was not local to Cornwall cancelled with 3 weeks notice. After I made an appeal on a Cornish Facebook wedding page, Checkered Photography stood out as a clear winner out of 80+ comments of other photographers. The immediate responses, beautifully captured and edited photos on her website and available pricing was what drew us to Sarah almost immediately. 

How did you feel about having your photographs taken before the wedding?

Honestly, I tried not to think about having the photos taken. If I expected less, then I couldn’t have been disappointed. I was not expecting to have been sent such beautiful photos in a matter of hours like we did. 

And how did you feel once we actually got started?

Sarah began to capture photos instantly. She was like one of us, just another loved guest. She made me feel incredibly relaxed, and like no ask was ever too much.

Did having just two hours of photography coverage work well for the kind of wedding you planned? Why?

It worked exceptionally well. When all of the photos were captured, myself and Sarah looked at one another and both said “perfect timing”. Every aspect was captured, during the ceremony, journey from Falmouth to Fistral, individual photos with bride, groom and guests as well as the group shots. 

What was your favourite part of having your photographs taken together?

There was no expectation, no judgement and absolutely no stress whatsoever. I didn’t ask for anything specific to be captured, in fact it was all captured without us having to ask. 

Do you have a favourite photograph from your gallery? What do you love about it?

I cannot possibly choose a singular photo from the 428 photos we were sent. However a photo that does stand out is the photo of us both staring into each other's eyes at the top of the headland cliff with an incredible background of the Cornish sea. 

Were there any photographs or moments I captured that you didn’t realise had happened at the time?

Our little boy Jude was running all over the place, there are so many photos capturing this without us even realising. The smile on his face in these photos just proved to us we chose the right photographer. 

Looking back…

What do you love most about the way you chose to get married?

As a daily stressor, there was absolutely no stress with it being an intimate elopement with the closest people by our sides. 

Is there anything you’d do differently?

If there were anything I would have done differently, it would have been to run into the Cornish sea in my wedding dress and asked Sarah to capture this. You only have one life, but photos last forever. 

What advice would you give another couple thinking about having a small registry office wedding or intimate Cornish wedding?

Your wedding is your day. There are no expectations and you can make your wedding day however you want it to be. Just because you have a smaller wedding, it doesn’t mean to aren’t entitled to beautiful photos. Book Checkered Photography, you will not be disappointed and instead you’ll be in absolute awe of your photos. 

And finally…

Describe your wedding day in three words.

An absolute dream.