Wedding at Castle Hill

The Military Matrimonial

Prompted by the continual flow of bad news from Afghanistan, the owners of Classic Carriages in Holsworthy decided to offer the use of their Rolls Royces to a deserving member of the local armed forces back in 2009. On reading the story in the local paper, the Countess of Arran decided to offer her breathtaking Palladian home, Castle Hill, as a venue for the wedding.



The offers then snowballed as a series of wedding suppliers came together to offer a complete wedding package. Lance Corporal Andy Thomas, who serves with the Royal Marines, was chosen as the recipient of the wedding gift. After suffering serious injuries during his second tour in Afghanistan, Andy demonstrated great courage and has since returned to active service.





Karly and Andy met at the tender age of 11 at Ilfracombe Comprehensive School. “After school we both went our separate ways and then rekindled our relationship in August 2008,” says Karly. She gave birth to a baby boy – a little brother for Dylan – just nine weeks before their wedding.



Karly chose a glamorous Maggie Sottero gown from Frilly Frocks, while the bridesmaids wore navy dresses to compliment Andy’s uniform. They all carried bouquets of calla lilies.



It was a grand and emotional occasion: Classic Carriages transported the couple to Castle Hill in style; canapés and champagne followed the ceremony in the opulent Red Room while jazz band ‘Déjà Blue’ provided the soundtrack. A delectable wedding breakfast followed, courtesy of catering company Posh Nosh, which included roast beef and vegetables donated by a local farmer and suppliers. After the meal, everyone ventured outside to enjoy a falconry display.




 
The newly weds were whisked off to Saunton Sands Hotel for their wedding night. Although their dreams of an exotic honeymoon were scuppered by Andy’s duties, they plan to make up for it when he returns from his next tour of Afghanistan. As for advice, Karly says, “Go with the flow and don’t panic if there are little hiccups throughout the day. It all comes together in the end!”



The venue
Castle Hill, Filleigh
01598 760421 www.castlehilldevon.co.uk

The dress
Frilly Frocks, Barnstaple
01271 344338 www.frillyfrocks.co.uk

The flowers
The Flower Shop, South Molton
01769 572402 www.theflowershop-southmolton.co.uk

Photography
Blue Hawk Photography
www.bluehawkphoto.co.uk

Copyright WED Magazine 2011