Amanda and Adam’s Al Fresco Summer Wedding

Reflecting on their “perfect day”, what was it that topped it off for Adam and Amanda? “The location is idyllic. Camel Studio is in such a beautiful place, and so many people asked how we managed to find it. It’s just amazing, you can’t see anything other than beautiful views. Even indoors, you can throw the big barn doors wide open and the views are beautifully framed,” says Adam. “It really is a hidden treasure.”

Amanda and Adam originally started planning a wedding in Northampton where they live but, as plans began to get “too big and too expensive”, they researched smaller wedding venues. “Neither of us planned on getting married in Cornwall, but once we saw Camel Studio, that was it” says Adam. 

“We went to one of their feast nights and, quite simply, we loved it – it was absolutely everything we wanted,” he says. “The cottage is stunning, the grounds are beautiful, and the whole venue has such a nice aesthetic.”

They booked a wedding for 50 people in August 2020, but it got postponed to the same date in 2021. This gave the couple an extra year to plan and get excited and while Adam and Amanda already loved the venue, it had only got better with lots of additions by the time their wedding day arrived. “It was as beautiful as when we’d first seen it, but now it had a bridal suite, firepit, outdoor seating area, festoon lighting and a pizza horsebox. The owners, Helen and Dave had made so many improvements. They have such an eye for detail, and they really do want it to be perfect for you,” says Amanda. 

Every wedding at Camel Studio comes with the addition of a wedding coordinator. “Hazel was really helpful, and every single thing we asked for, she and Helen sorted out. They nailed everything down weeks before the wedding, and they know everyone, so they were brilliant for suggesting suppliers too!” says Adam. “They’re constantly making sure everything is right, that it’s all going well. Helen is phenomenal, she just wants everybody to have their perfect day.”

“I got ready at the cottage with my bridesmaids, while Adam arrived at the venue and got ready in the Bridal Suite,” says Amanda. “It all worked really well and there was no chance of us bumping into each other.” Adam remembers his morning in similar fashion – relaxed with a general excited buzz. “When I got to Camel Studio to get ready, I kept asking if anything needed to be done, but Helen and Hazel had it all sorted.”

And even a near-disaster didn’t ruin the relaxed vibe, when minutes before the wedding, they received a call that one of the registrar’s cars had broken down. “Everything was delayed by half an hour, but Adam didn’t even realise! Helen and Hazel just sorted it,” says Amanda, of the venue’s ability to stay calm under pressure. “Helen stepped in as an honorary registrar, and she was brilliant!”

“We were so pleased to be able to get married on the lawn, under a triangle arch overlooking the fields,” says Adam. “It’s such a good location for a wedding with a chilled-out vibe.” Canapés of mac and cheese balls, mackerel pate on crostini, steak with horseradish, and lettuce cups with Chinese beef, as well as cocktails followed the ceremony, with Helen and Dave adding in the personal touches they’re becoming known for. “Rather than a glass of prosecco or champagne after the ceremony, we really wanted cocktails in the Sperry Tent so Helen and Dave made it happen, learning how to make the exact cocktails we wanted.”

While guests relaxed on the lawn and spread out to enjoy the grounds (and the flowing cocktails!), Amanda and Adam went to a nearby beauty spot for photographs, before being welcomed back into the barn as husband and wife in time for speeches and “incredible food!”.

As the band began to play in the evening, and the guests played garden games, Dave fired up the pizza oven for a music and food-filled “big party for the rest of the evening”, which included a cake made by Amanda.

“The band were absolutely incredible, so talented, they brought such a fun vibe,” says Adam. “All of their instruments were wireless, and at one point they came outside and kept playing with Amanda singing.” 

With many guests remarking on it being the “best wedding they’d ever been to”, Adam and Amanda are delighted they downsized their original wedding plans. “So many people have said it was still such a party vibe, but the smaller size meant we could talk to people, and keep it to our nearest and dearest all in one place,” says Adam. “When we were originally planning and it was getting more expensive, it made us question if we really wanted 150 people, or have 50 and a really nice day with beautiful food. That’s what this venue is all about.”

Suppliers

Venue: Camel Studio - www.camelstudio.co.uk 

Photography & videography: Hannah Hall Photography - www.hannahhallphotography.co.uk

Coordination: Hazel Parsons - www.hazelparsons.com

Catering: Philleigh Way - www.philleighway.co.uk

Band: Your New Favourite Band - www.ynfb.co.uk

Words: Lucy Higgins