Wedding at Bovey Castle

Married on the Moors

After nearly ten years together, a sophisticated colour scheme of black and ivory set the tone for Abi and Nick’s beautiful wedding against the sublime backdrop of Dartmoor.



Abi spent the eve of the wedding with her parents and bridesmaids in a lodge at Bovey Castle. “I woke up at 5am and sat on the balcony watching the sunrise and preparing myself for the day ahead,” says Abi. “I remember feeling really calm and not at all nervous – I just couldn’t wait to see Nick.”



Champagne flowed as the bridal party made their preparations. Looking sensational in her Martina Liana dress, complemented by a bouquet of large ivory avalanche roses and freesias, Abi and her bridesmaids rolled up to Bovey Castle in a fleet of Range Rovers.



The Cathedral Room made a dramatic setting for the ceremony, the stirring sounds of the Reflection String Quartet heralding the bride’s arrival. “Walking up the aisle and seeing Nick was the best feeling ever,” Abi comments. Everyone spilled outside onto the terrace for a champagne and canapé reception shortly before the newly weds were whisked away on a golf buggy for photographs by the lake.



The wedding breakfast was delectable: new season asparagus spears with truffle dressed leaves to start followed by breast of chicken with a wild mushroom risotto, roast chantenay carrots, mushroom and Madeira cream. Vanilla panna cotta with champagne poached strawberries and peanut biscuits made for a heavenly dessert.





The speeches proved particularly emotional, as Abi says, “There wasn’t a dry in the house after my dad’s speech!” She and Nick stole a few precious moments to themselves prior to the evening reception, “We sat outside on the terrace enjoying the sunshine and taking it all in. We went off for a sneaky bottle of champagne and five minutes together!”



Despite nerves on both sides, the first dance went well and kicked off the evening party. The newly weds spent their wedding night in the Easdon Suite – a beautifully romantic setting with a balcony overlooking the valley.



“It was truly a perfect day,” reflects Abi. “We were so lucky with the amazing weather!” The couple shortly departed for a road trip across Florida, where they visited Orlando, Naples, Key Largo, Key West and Miami.



“Make sure you both take five minutes away from everyone to reflect on the day,” Abi advises. “And enjoy every minute as the day goes so quickly!”

The venue
Bovey Castle, Dartmoor National Park
01647 445000 www.boveycastle.com

The dress
Martina Liana Couture from Vu’s Bridal, Wadebridge
01208 815440 www.vusbridal.co.uk

The flowers
Stephen David
0845 055 3283 www.stephendavid.co.uk

Photography
Andrew Coulter
056017 11335 www.acoulter-photography.co.uk

Copyright WED Magazine 2010