Becky and Anthony's Cosy Winter Wedding

“As we arrived I knew, even before I’d gone inside,” says Becky. “It was everything, the view over the hills, the incredible house where we could stay, the studio being so versatile. The venue is set in the most beautiful grounds, looking out onto rolling fields. You couldn’t ask for a more idyllic Cornwall countryside setting. We didn’t look at any other venue after that, Anthony and I just loved it so much.”

“Around the time we realised we’d have to reschedule our wedding due to Covid, we watched a Rick Stein documentary about the Camel Valley and the vineyard there,” Becky says. “We’re both really into wine, and loved the idea of marrying somewhere with a Camel Valley link, so started looking at Cornish wedding venues. I contacted Helen at Camel Studio. She was a pleasure to deal with. That just continued, and by the end of our wedding, it felt like she & her husband, Dave were just like friends.”

Given the large amount of uncertainty around when and if their wedding could take place, Becky and Anthony had a lot of communication with Helen in the lead-up. “It was such a rollercoaster. The really great thing is they were so flexible. Helen had a really kind approach and appreciated that things were changing, and we really appreciated her flexibility, as it was not something our previous venue had offered. Helen and Dave couldn’t do enough for us, from sourcing IT equipment for projecting pictures on the day to buying a last-minute Christmas tree when our date changed.”

As the new date approached, there were rumblings of a third lockdown, or a change to the tier system that might mean the wedding couldn’t proceed. “The week before was the most stressful,” remembers Becky. “A tier change got announced but for the following week, meaning we’d missed it by 24 hours and could go ahead. It wasn’t until we were at Camel Studio the night before that I truly believed it would happen.”

“Anthony and I had written our own words and, as we faced each other, and it became real, I couldn’t express how relieved I was.” When the ceremony was over, the couple sat down for drinks and canapés, and Becky remembers a particularly poignant moment. “Anthony and I just looked at each other; we could feel this weight being lifted off our shoulders. We felt relief and happiness that we could now relax and enjoy ourselves.”

Going outside for photos, the couple explored the venue, managing some incredible outdoor moments despite the fact it “absolutely poured and was the windiest, wettest day!” says Becky. “There are so many nice backdrops, it really lends itself to being a wedding venue, whatever the weather.”

One of the most memorable moments for the couple was heading back into the studio for their meal, catered by Dish Cornwall. “Helen recommended them – and they were amazing! We like our food, so this was a big thing for us.” Starters of open Cornish scallop ravioli were followed by a “rich and warming” sirloin steak with roasted vegetables and shallots in red wine gravy, followed by a trio of desserts, comprising chocolate brownie, lemon cheesecake, and crème brulee – and of course all washed down with Camel Valley wine! “The food was delicious and the menu completely bespoke, with all local ingredients, some foraged.”

"Camel Studio is a versatile blank canvas. You can customise the space for the wedding you want. We got married on 18th December so went for a cosy rustic Christmas feel but equally in the summer months, the venue would suit any theme.  The transition from ceremony space to reception space was done so well.” Using screens, and separate areas of the studio for a bar, dining and music, Becky didn’t notice the tables being set up and ceremony elements being cleared away. “I don’t even remember it being done. It was seamless!”

“When it gets dark and the candles are lit, and you’re amid the flickering lights, it’s so warm and cosy - it’s so atmospheric,” she says. “You can’t appreciate it until you see it.”

A pianist played throughout the meal, taking requests via text, then the couple cut their wine-themed cake before the musical duo, Mountain Ash, started to play. “When we asked for music recommendations, Helen had suggested Mountain Ash. We hadn’t heard much about them, but we trusted Helen and booked them on the basis that she thought they were great,” says Becky. 

“They were incredible. We asked if they’d learn our first dance song, and their answer was ‘We’ll learn as many songs as you want.’ They were so talented and all our guests commented on the excellent music and food – both were elements Helen recommended.”

As the evening drew to a close, the newlyweds retired to the bridal suite and reflected on their day amongst gorgeous surroundings. “We really appreciated the beautiful bridal suite, complete with free-standing bath tub and Champagne. And the small touches like the welcome hamper in the immaculate house, which we can only describe as stunning.”

Becky appreciated the use of a wedding coordinator not just in the lead-up to the wedding, but on the day itself. “It went completely smoothly and didn’t feel like we were stuck to a rigid timeline; it just flowed naturally, which is due to Phoebe, our coordinator, and Helen and the team’s hard work,” she says.

When you have your wedding at Camel Studio, you get the whole venue for the weekend, exclusively. “This was priceless for us as it meant we could spend time setting everything up the day before and were not rushed out of the venue the day after, something which would not have been possible at our previous venue where they had weddings the day before and after ours,” says Becky.

“I’m obviously not glad Covid happened, but being forced to have a smaller wedding ended up being brilliant for us. If we could do it again, we would still have a smaller wedding, and the Camel Studio experience was unrivalled,” says Becky. “Words won’t do justice to how grateful we are to Helen and Dave at Camel Studio for our perfect wedding day. They went over and above, and I don’t know what we could have done to make the day better. We wouldn’t change a thing.”

By Lucy Higgins 

Suppliers:

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

Photography & videography: The Two Photographers – www.thetwoweddingphotographers.com

Coordination: Phoebe Rubinace of Piccolo Weddings - www.piccoloweddings.com

Flowers: SA Floristry - www.safloristry.co.uk

Food: Dish Cornwall - www.dishcornwall.co.uk

Cake: Helen Ghinn

Hair & make up: Emilie’s Professional Hair & Makeup - www.emiliesprohaircornwall.co.uk

Dress: The Wedding Gallery - www.weddinggallery.co.uk

Bridesmaids’ dresses: Dessy at The Wedding Gallery- www.weddinggallery.co.uk

Décor: Stargazey Wedding Décor Hire - www.stargazeyweddingdecorhire.co.uk

Samsa May’s - www.samsamays.co.uk 

Music: Elliot Porter at Pop Up Piano - www.popuppianobar.info

Band: Mountain Ash - www.facebook.com/mountainashnewquay