Without a specific theme or colour scheme, Ellie and David simply chose things they liked for various aspects of the decor and day: pears featured as a common emblem, while Ellie's bridesmaid Hannah donned a beautiful purple gown for a touch of regal glamour and table names were themed around chapters from a children's encyclopaedia such as 'The Parrots and The Owls' and 'The Tellers of Tales'.
The dress, however, proved to be a trickier matter. "After traipsing around Glasgow and Edinburgh, I had tried on enough dresses to know exactly what I wanted, but I just couldn't seem to find it. Just as I was deciding that I would have to get my dress made my mum stumbled across The Ivory Secret in Crediton where Eleanor and her mum created my beautiful dress!"
Selecting the stunning Killerton Estate as their grand venue, the couple took their vows in the chapel before being leading a piped procession down to the gardens of Killerton House, which was full of butterflies, for champagne and canapes in the sun.
The couple chose a mishmash of favourite foods featuring a mix of traditionally British food from Treloars in Crediton and Turkish food by the Dinosaur Cafe in Exeter. "We wanted a relaxed atmosphere so we had pies, salads and a 'cheese cake' laid out on each table for people to help themselves to whatever they wanted, as well as lots of cakes made by various friends, the most impressive being a 'train' cake - a great surprise!"
After dinner, the newly-weds snatched some alone time as they went for a little walk around the gardens and were lucky to witness "an amazing harvest moon - everyone was ushered out of the marquee to take a peek!" says Ellie, before returning to ceilidh band Back to Square One, who provided the foot-stomping and endlessly enjoyable entertainment into the early hours.
A day replete with poignant moments, David's favourite was "hearing Ellie's beautiful poem 'Two for One' read by best man Joe at Killerton Chapel. So often I am the one putting my thoughts to verse, but Ellie surprised and delighted me with her lyrical and powerful portrait of our relationship. I had neither the desire nor the power to hold back my tears."
Meanwhile, Ellie offers some sound advice to other couples. "Remember to take moments to tell yourself 'this is real!' - it will go by in a whirl, so make sure you take stock! I imagined taking mental photographs in my mind."
Photography Rosie Anderson www.rosieanderson.co.uk
Venue Killerton Estate www.nationaltrust.org.uk/killerton
Dress Eleanor Rafferty from The Ivory Secret, Crediton www.theivorysecret.co.uk
Catering Treloar's www.treloars-deli.co.uk and the Dinosaur Cafe 01392 490951
Crockery Devon Vintage China www.devonvintagechina.co.uk
Flowers Rosie the Florist www.rosietheflorist.co.uk
Entertainment Back to Square One www.backtosquareoneband.com
Copyright WED Magazine 2013
