Real Wedding at Hatswell Meadows

Cosy In The Country

Having first met at a design company over a decade ago, Melissa and Glenn got engaged on Christmas morning six years later. It was only natural, then, that their creative minds would collaborate for a self-designed and very detailed DIY do.



Opting for a colour scheme of purples, minks and pinks, they decorated their luxury cottage venue with pink rose fairy lights, colourful bunting and dishes of lilac-wrapped chocolates in addition to Melissa’s handmade nametags comprising lilac napkins, purple polka dot ribbons and purple feathers. Her mum also prepared a white wooden birdcage adorned with ribbons and flowers that was placed beside the wedding cake.



Glenn stayed at a nearby B&B with his mum the night before as the couple opted to remain apart “to make it more special”. Melissa reflects on waking up on the wedding day, “It was a beautiful dewy morning with sunlight flooding over the grounds. It felt so special to see pheasants roaming freely around the garden”.



The ceremony featured ‘One Day Like This’ by Elbow as their song and two readings. “It was just the small and intimate wedding we wanted it to be”. Leaving their guests to happily snack on canapés and sup champagne, the couple headed to the river for photographs.



Dinner was a delicious affair: seafood cocktail or warm goats cheese salad with pancetta was followed by pan-fried duck breast with potatoes dauphinoise or roast Devon beef and Yorkshire pudding. Dessert followed by form of sticmmky toffee pudding served with honeycomb ice cream and lemon tart served with vanilla ice cream. The sumptuous serving more than satisfied, whetting appetites for the amusing speeches that followed.



Children were entertained with goodie bags filled with party toys, colouring books and crayons. A light buffet was served in the evening and, as a finale, a stunning fireworks display wowed the party whilst the surprise addition of magic lanterns from Melissa’s sister proved a “very romantic and memorable end to a perfect day”. The pair spent their honeymoon in Kuramathi in The Maldives.



Reflecting on the day, Melissa comments, “Standing in the river Exe in my wedding dress and Glenn in his suit with our wellies on knowing we had just got married and were about to celebrate with our nearest and dearest felt just amazing.” Their top advice? “Soak up as much of the day as you can to capture as many memories as possible. It goes much faster than you think it will!”

The venue
Hatswell Meadows, Tiverton
01803 394259 www.itsagreatcottage.co.uk

The dress
Monsoon Bridal
www.monsoon.co.uk

The flowers
Farm Flowers of Tiverton
01884 258122 www.farmflowers.co.uk

Photography
Lucy Shergold
01237 420828 www.lucyshergoldphotography.co.uk

Copyright WED Magazine 2010