Lucy and Stephen met and fell in love during their first month of studying at medical school 12 years ago, and it was while they were in the Australian town of Byron Bay that Stephen popped the question. “The proposal was overlooking one of our favourite beaches, the day before we left Byron after living there for two years,” says Lucy.
Choosing the idyllic Arts and Crafts setting of Coombe Trenchard on the edge of Dartmoor as their wedding venue, Lucy and Stephen decided on an autumn date with a colour scheme of warm seasonal hues to match. The décor had an eclectic vintage feel, featuring many pieces from the collections of the venue’s owner, Sarah Marsh, who also grew the blooms for the wildly beautiful arrangements. Lucy’s intricately beaded bridal gown by Eliza Jane Howell echoed the vintage accents in the styling, while the bridesmaids’ terracotta dresses reflected the rich autumnal palette.
“Stephen’s sister handmade tie pins, necklaces and cufflinks out of brass for the wedding party, and it was a beautiful addition and really complemented the colours and theme,” says Lucy, who also got stuck into some crafting by making little pots as favours.
While she enjoyed the morning of the wedding preparing for the celebrations with her mum and bridesmaids at Coombe Trenchard, Stephen and his groomsmen relaxed in the sunshine at nearby Lewtrenchard Manor. “We had a leisurely morning with drinks and a lovely lunch before everyone gathered in the minstrel gallery for our afternoon ceremony,” she says.
One of the most cherished moments of the day came courtesy of Lucy’s friend Nadia acting as their celebrant. “Having one of our closest friends marry us was truly so special, and she did an incredible job,” she says. “It made the wedding so personal to us, but also it could have started her celebrant career to be honest!”
After the ceremony, guests were treated to reception drinks on the terrace, which included a round of bespoke Dartmoortini cocktails amid garden games and mingling.
Dressed in homegrown florals, long stem candles and crystal glassware, the scenic coach house was the setting for the wedding breakfast. Guests savoured a feast of Westcountry charcuterie board, braised beef shin, and hake with Café de Paris sauce alongside new potatoes and vegetables, rounded off with a plum and cardamom crumble for dessert.
Moving back into the main house, it was time for the cutting of the cake and speeches, before more cocktails were served on the Italian terrace. “Having two rounds of cocktails really got the party started and we had a pretty wild dance floor until midnight, with a few moments that won’t be forgotten!” says Lucy, looking back on their celebrations fondly. “Seeing our family and friends on the dance floor together made the day.”
When it comes to advice for other couples their wedding, Lucy says: “Don’t get caught up in others’ ideas and opinions – make sure you stick to what you want! And although it can be a bit overwhelming, the planning is soon over and you’ll miss it, so try to take time to enjoy it together.”
Photography Clare Kinchin clarekinchinphotography.co.uk
Venue Coombe Trenchard coombetrenchard.co.uk
Videography Coastline Films coastlinefilms.co.uk
Dress Eliza Jane Howell elizajanehowell.com
Bridesmaids’ dresses Ghost ghost.co.uk
Hair Curious Hair Studio instagram.com/curioushairstudio
Flowers Sarah Marsh from Coombe Trenchard coombetrenchard.co.uk
Mylk & Honey instagram.com/mylkandhoneyy
Cake Boo to a Goose bootoagoose.net
Stationery Rose & Beau roseandbeau.co.uk
Entertainment Truly Medley Deeply trulymedleydeeply.com
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