Nina first met Nat when they briefly worked together in London, but they became a couple a few years later when mutual friends arranged a group night out. “I loved his outgoing personality and gorgeous eyes, and he made me laugh,” said Nina.

After dating for a year and a half, Nat popped the question on the beach, while the couple were in Queensland celebrating his 30th birthday. “The sun came out just as he was getting down on one knee. I was so surprised: I thought we might get married, but wasn’t expecting a proposal so soon!”

Photography by Sarah Gawler

After the beach proposal and blessing overlooking the sea in Sydney, it seemed the ocean would become a running theme for Nina, 28, and Nat, 32. But when the couple went to see 18th century manor Boconnoc House near Lostwithiel in Cornwall, the fact that it was a few miles from the coast didn’t matter.

“I always knew I wanted to get married in Cornwall – it’s where I grew up,” says Nina. “I could imagine roaring log fires in Boconnoc’s many fireplaces: it was just perfect. And since Nat arranged a blessing down under for family and friends who lived in Australia and weren’t able to come to Britain, we got our sea view too. The best of both worlds!”

Nat wore a black suit by Ozwald Boateng and a waistcoat from Moss Bros.

Nina found The Dress at London’s Mirror Mirror. “I tried on a Paloma Blanca gown and it was perfect,” she says. “I loved its lace bodice and silk skirt, while the vintage-style brooch at the waistline suited our wedding theme.”

Nina's something new was a pair of ivory heels from Monsoon and her veil was borrowed.

Nina chose cornflower-blue dresses for the bridesmaids and had Nat’s tie made to match. Her flower girl looked angelic in cream and donned a butterfly headband to top off the ensemble.

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The bride's bouquet was made up of cream roses, hydrangeas and calla lilies—floral favourites that fit the winter theme.

Maggie Rawlings (01208 873091)

Nina added vintage touches such as a table plan fixed onto a mirror with an elaborate white frame and cut-glass vases.

Nina placed black and white family photos in ornate frames for a personal decorative touch.

Reception floral arrangements incorporated the same blooms Nina used in her bouquet. Meanwhile, tealights in glass holders from IKEA shimmered on all the surfaces. “I wanted the reception to feel warm, cosy and romantic as we knew it would be cold outside so the log fires and candles really created this,” says Nina.

Guests were served mulled cider as they left the church for the walk to the reception venue, where they were greeted with flutes of Bollinger and a menu that included Cornish crab or goat’s cheese tart followed by roast pork or seabass. Dessert was sticky toffee pudding or white chocolate cheesecake, served with Cornish clotted cream – naturally.

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The double-layered vanilla sponge and chocolate cake by Pauline Durnien was decorated with vintage lace piping and cornflower-blue ribbon, topped off with white hydrangea.

A silver heart from John Lewis made from tiny bells added a festive feel to the manor’s front door.

And who better than a wedding planner for your chief bridesmaid? “My best friend Sophie has a planning business and we couldn’t have done it without her,” says Nina. “Hiring a planner means when the big day arrives, you can just relax and enjoy it.”

Wedding planner, Sophie Laxton (07866 047 444)