Real Wedding at The Tumbling Weir

Life's A Beach

Having first met through friends at Rolle College where Liz was training to be a teacher, it was another three years before romance blossomed for the pair. Less than two years later, Chris staged a beachside barbecue proposal at Budleigh, which the couple decided should be the venue for their wedding.



On the big day, Liz got ready at their home before taking a detour with her dad along Budleigh sea front in their Beauford toward St Peter’s Church. “As soon as we moved to Budleigh, I knew that was where I wanted to get married one day,” says Liz. Two huge pedestals of flowers stood at the front of the church, with others beautifully lining the aisles. Chris’s sister Paula played the piano during the signing of the register, which gave the service a highly personal feel.





In keeping with the deep purple theme, the bridesmaids wore full-length silk dresses from Monsoon and the flower girl donned matching butterflies on her ivory gown.



Guests tucked into canapés and Pimm’s before heading to The Tumbling Weir in Ottery St Mary. The wedding breakfast featured mouth-watering delights such as oak smoked salmon and prawn toasted parcel with a lime and dill mayonnaise, roasted confit of belly pork on a bed of caramelised apples and pavlova topped with raspberries, strawberries and Chantilly cream. “It was all amazing but the pavlova was particularly delicious!” Liz comments.



Gathering in the garden due to a spell of glorious weather, it was important to have enough space for the large numbers of family and friends in attendance, as Liz recalls, “Although initially we were worried about the size of the venue it worked perfectly as we made use of the beautiful grounds surrounding the hotel.”



The evening reception saw Liz and Chris’s first dance to Florence and the Machine’s ‘Halo’ and live band ‘Lush’ perform a wide selection of songs.



Liz and Chris embarked on an extended honeymoon. “We spent seven nights on Meeru Island in the Maldives – absolute paradise! We came home for four nights and then went to Rome for three days of manic sightseeing and good food.”



The couple’s most memorable moments include “walking along Budleigh Beach after the ceremony, passing a few people on our way who congratulated us. We loved having the time together just the two of us.”



And their top tip for future brides and grooms? A little DIY. “We made all the stationery ourselves. Not only did this save us money, we also really enjoyed making them together.”



The venue
St Peter’s Church, Budleigh Salterton followed by The Tumbling Weir, Ottery St Mary
01404 812752 www.tumblingweir-hotel.co.uk

The dress
Perfection Bridal, Exeter
01392 211990 www.perfectionbridalandmenswear.co.uk

The flowers
Amazing Blooms, Budleigh Salterton
01395 444275

Photography
Sarah Lauren Photography
07786 626947 www.sarahlaurenphotography.com

Copyright WED Magazine 2011