Real Wedding at Ugbrooke House

Welcome To Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland made a fabulously flamboyant source of inspiration for childhood sweethearts Sinead and Stephen’s wedding, the quirky details from the tale infusing their celebration with a magical atmosphere.



Sinead arrived in appropriately dreamy style at Ugbrooke House in a horse-drawn carriage. Dressed in a gorgeous Alice Temperley gown and exquisite headpiece, her bridesmaids took their style cue from the theme in their blue dresses teamed with white accessories.





A friend conducted the ceremony in the chapel. “We were legally married beforehand,” says Sinead. “This meant we had freedom in what was said and the readings chosen. It made for a relaxed atmosphere and a very personal ceremony.” Exeter University Soul Choir performed Des’ree’s 'Kissing You' and Destiny's Child 'Emotions' and, as a finale, Sister Act’s ‘I Will Follow Him’.





The Wonderland theme really came into its own during the reception. With Exeter University Jazz Band providing the tunes, guests were treated to Kir Royales and a Mad Hatter’s tea party in the orangery where a delectable array of cakes, sweets, chessboard sandwiches, absinthe and pomegranate jellies and Devon cream teas were served.



“Guests could wander around the gardens or sit in a yurt on a giant mushroom,” says Sinead. “We planned to play human chess and croquet with toy hedgehogs on the lawn but it started to rain so we brought the buffet forward.” Sinead made an array of Alice-themed dishes for the buffet, for example, salmon en croute in the shape of a turtle signified the ‘mock turtle’ while pâté in oyster shells represented the ‘little oysters’ from the walrus story. There were also two cheese wedding cakes and a hog roast later in the evening.





Small ‘drink me’ bottles of liqueur inspired by the flavours Alice tasted in her drink – butterscotch for hot buttered toast and cherry brandy for cherry tart – made for fabulous favours. Pocket watches hung from the table centrepieces, wine was poured from vintage teapots and guests drank from teacups. Despite being scribbled in a rush after the ceremony, Stephen’s speech was a triumph. “I think because he'd had no time to prepare it, it was natural and heartfelt – it was still a risky strategy!”



The couple jetted off to the tropical paradise of Madagascar for a month. Reflecting on their wedding, Sinead advises, “Don't be afraid to change things on the day. We had to alter everything when it started raining but if you’re relaxed about the order, no one will notice if things get moved about.”



The venue
Ugbrooke House, Chudleigh
01626 852179 www.ugbrooke.co.uk

The dress
Alice Temperley

The flowers
Simply Flowers, Bovey Tracey
01626 833373 www.simplyflowersdevon.com

Photography
Janine Hall Photography
01752 841741 www.janinehallphotography.com

Copyright WED Magazine