Wedding at Bovey Castle

The English Country Wedding

Bovey Castle made a sublime setting for the wedding of photographer Andrew Coulter to Katie in July. It wasn’t quite the summer’s day they had hoped for, as Katie comments, “It didn’t just rain - it absolutely poured all day!” However, the downpours and high winds did nothing to detract from their enjoyment of a wonderful weekend-long celebration.



The English country themed wedding had an intimate and personal atmosphere, enhanced by Katie’s handmade bunting, favours, decorations and stationery in a pretty palette of pinks, pale greens and light blues. Apart from the bouquet, the beautiful array of natural flowers were home grown by Katie’s mother and arranged by family and friends.



The festivities began the evening before the wedding with a meal for family and friends. Harpist Elizabeth-Jane Baldry provided the stirring soundtrack to the ceremony at Bovey Castle; the party then supped on celebratory Pimms before departing for Katie’s parents’ farm where the marquee reception took place.



Pianist Johnny Fingers heightened the ambience for the drinks reception and high tea: a glorious medley of scones, chocolate brownies and cucumber sandwiches. Appetites were further satiated by a buffet of rare roast beef, salmon, mango chicken, Mediterranean vegetable and basil salad and spicy bulgar wheat salad followed by pavlova, fresh strawberries and clotted cream and rich chocolate cake.



The weather conditions continued to rage outside the marquee, forcing Katie to don some white wellies later in the day, and even causing a mini fire when a gust of wind blew the side of the marquee so hard it knocked over a candle!  It did nothing to dampen the party vibe, however, and DJ Mike Snook ensured the dance floor was packed all night long.



Katie and Andrew headed back to Bovey Castle for the wedding night, returning to the farm – amidst glorious sunshine – for a barbecue lunch with family and friends the next day. Then it was off to Morocco for an exotic honeymoon.




“I would love to do it all over again,” Katie reflects. “It was a perfect day. There is nothing that I would change – even the rain!”


Katie has some sound advice for brides and grooms to be, “Don’t get stressed. If you find things are getting too much, take a step back and consider why you’re getting married in the first place and what is really important. Enjoy the whole wedding process and take time on your wedding day to look around you and take it all in.”

The venue
Bovey Castle followed by a marquee reception at Katie’s parents’ farm
01647 445000 www.boveycastle.com

The dress
Ronald Joyce from Colins Bridal, Callington
01579 384468 www.colinsbridal.co.uk

Photography
Marianne McCourt Photography
07624 490003 www.mariannemccourt.com

Copyright WED Magazine 2010