Lucy and James got engaged during a memorable trip to France for James's 30th birthday, where his parents had arranged a private tour of a vineyard in Burgundy. "After the tour we drove up to the viewing point where James told me he would take a photo of me looking out. I turned around to find him down on one knee. To say I was surprised is a total understatement!" remembers Lucy. She was rendered speechless yet again when they returned to their hotel and all four of their parents jumped out from behind the sofas in the lobby. "It was so emotional and amazing to have everyone around for what then turned into an entire weekend of celebrations."
Having attended no less than ten weddings during the year of their engagement, Lucy and James had a clear vision of what they wanted for their own day: "The most important thing for both of us was having everyone we loved around us and to make the day as easy-going as we could," she explains. "We also wanted to keep things local and support the community wherever possible, and for it to be fun and memorable."
Their sunny August wedding was certainly that. Opting for a church ceremony followed by a marquee reception at Lucy's parents' house, the celebrations were bedecked in a palette of pale pink and summer blush with rustic wood accents from the farm.
Friends from the Sampford Courtenay Flower Arranging Society created a carnival of blooms. "The ladies raided their own gardens and then we ordered the remaining flowers directly from Holland and had an entire room full of pale pink avalanche roses, spray roses and gypsophila to name but a few. They filled old milk churns, watering cans, oak barrels - anything they could get their hands on!" says Lucy. "My favourite element was the floral arch. My mother managed to get it dismantled post-ceremony and brought back to the marquee so it could continue to be enjoyed!" she adds.
The wedding party complemented the scene perfectly, the bridesmaids and flower girls donning pretty pink frocks and Lucy herself dazzling in a stunning - and West Country made - Sassi Holford gown, while the groomsmen wore traditional morning suits accessorised with pops of pale pink.
The locally sourced theme continued with the food: The Devon Feast from Dartmoor Kitchen, which featured whole roasted rib of Devon beef, foil baked salmon, tray roasted new potatoes, heritage tomato and mozzarella salad, and seasonal greens. A tantalising trio of desserts (chocolate brownie, berry pavlova and lemon and vanilla cheesecake) completed the fabulous feast. Two friends stoked up the party vibe by performing some songs during dinner, before Andy Lewis and his band Perfect Blue set the dance floor alight during the evening, which culminated in a captivating fireworks finale.
Reflecting upon her wedding experience, Lucy is replete with advice for other couples. "Enjoy the whole process from engagement to wedding day and try not to sweat the small stuff," she says. "Don't worry about originality, with the social media filled world we live in it can seem like everything has been done before and that your wedding won't be any different - the point is that it's your wedding and the day will reflect you and your energy without even trying to."
"It really is the most amazing, adrenaline-filled, emotional experience and every minute of the day should be appreciated," she observes. "Make sure you take a moment as a couple to have a little bit of space to reflect on the memories being made around you."
Photography Emma Solley emmasolley.com
Venue St John the Baptist Church
Marquee The Devon Marquee Company devonmarquee.co.uk
Catering Dartmoor Kitchen dartmoorkitchen.co.uk
Dress Sassi Holford sassiholford.com
Bridesmaids' dresses Coast coast-stores.com
Flower girl dresses Monsoon monsoon.co.uk/
Hair The Art of Hair facebook.com/pg/theartofhairhatherleigh
Make-up Beauty by Design mybeautybydesign.co.uk
Groom's outfit Moss Bros moss.co.uk
Flowers Sampford Courtney Flower Society devonandcornwallareaofnafas.btck.co.uk/Clubs
Entertainment Andy Lewis & his band Perfect Blue andylewis.co.uk
Sonic Fireworks sonicfireworks.co.uk
Videography Ray McShane raymcshanefilms.com
Shoes Manolo Blahnik manoloblahnik.com
Stationery JC Foil jcfoilprint.co.uk
Coasters, signposts, centrepieces & cake stands Made-Well made-well.co.uk
Copyright Wed magazine 2017
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