Wedding at China Fleet Country Club

The Summer Shindig

Just ten months after a sunset proposal in Fuerteventura, Gemma and Darren exchanged vows in Plymouth’s St Edwards Church. A mutual love of the ocean had brought them together some seven years earlier, when keen surfer Darren encountered Gemma in a Plymouth surf shop.



In homage to their passion for the coast, the tables at their reception were named after their favourite beaches. The wedding theme, however, was ‘peonies and pinks’ – a perfect choice for their June wedding. Gemma’s favourite flower was a recurring motif in the gorgeous flower arrangements, the bridal bouquet and the stationery, while the bridesmaids’ pale pink dresses completed the coordinated and ever so pretty picture.


 
After a morning of preparations, Gemma and her father were transported to the church in a traditional Austin wedding car, while Darren and a group of guests sampled the real ales at a pub close to the church.
   
Servings of Pimms heralded the arrival of the wedding party at China Fleet Country Club and the newly weds had great fun being driven around the golf course in a buggy during the photo session.



The “emotional, humorous and heartfelt” speeches took place before the meal, allowing the groom, best man and bride’s father to relax and tuck into the tantalising array of dishes. Roasted vegetable and halloumi cheese terrine with homemade sun-blushed tomato focaccia and a red pesto dressing was followed by sirloin of beef with Yorkshire pudding, watercress and homemade horseradish. As self-professed chocoholics, the couple insisted on a hot chocolate fondant pudding served with mascarpone for dessert, which they both describe as “delicious!” The chocolate theme continued with the wedding cake, a beautifully decorated creation composed of two tiers of ‘Devil Chocolate Cake’ and one tier of fruitcake.



Good entertainment was a priority for the couple: “Spend money on the things which will make your day special like good food and excellent music,” they advise, “these are the things which people will remember.” Their approach paid off as DJ Ray McShane played a selection of top tunes and live band ‘The Wireless’ performed numbers from the Killers to the Beatles to a heaving dance floor. Everyone got down to some break-dancing moves, including the bride’s father!



The couple shortly departed for their honeymoon in Lindos, Rhodes followed by a relaxing stay in Cornwall to reflect on “the best day we could ever imagine.”

The venue
St Edwards Church, Eggbuckland, Plymouth followed by China Fleet Country Club, Saltash
01752 854664 www.china-fleet.co.uk

The dress
Mori Lee from The Ivory Tower, Plymouth
01752 266532 www.theivorytower.co.uk

The flowers
Florabunda, Plymouth
01752 771248

Photography
Rob Frost
01579 345823 www.robfrostphotography.com

Copyright WED Magazine 2010