Having grown up in a village nearby, the beautiful grounds and intimate ambience of Buckland Tout-Saints seemed the ideal place for Anoushka to marry Simon. Coincidentally, after booking the venue she discovered that she had a family connection with the hotel, as her father's great uncle had owned the property back in 1923.
Their save the date - a picture of the couple beneath vibrant bunting - inspired the colour scheme of the decorations, table names and balloons. "Partly inspired by the save the date and location, I decided to make the invites into a postcard, and embrace summer holiday as a rough theme," says Anoushka - this perfectly set the tone for the colourful, fun-filled mood of the day.
They set about making the venue their own, adorning the interiors and grounds with a multitude of vibrant features - most of which were lovingly handmade by Anoushka. From the invites, order of service, table names and place names to the signs, bunting, chair decorations and even the photo booth, the venue was brimming with DIY detail.
Simon wore a blue suit and floral tie that complemented Anoushka's Temperley evening gown. "I used the colours of my floral headband to inspire the rest of the flowers, which were a mixture of oranges, apricots, pinks, creams and greenery," she says. Pretty clusters of blooms, including David Austin roses and peach germini spilled from an assortment of jars, bottles and vases.
In the ceremony room, a 'love' sign draped with greenery made for a fabulous focal point and goldcrest conifers lined the aisle. The ceremony was full of personal, funny and heartfelt moments, from the readings to the music. "We picked one of our favourite rock ballads - Mr Big's 'Close to You' - and got the whole wedding party to sing along with us just after we were pronounced man and wife," she recalls. The fun extended to the photos; a series of props made for playful group photos, while the live photo booth echoed the holiday mood with its seaside props and signs.
The Devon summer theme also inspired the flavours of the day; canapes and cider and fruit cocktails were followed by a wedding breakfast, which included barn-reared chicken, salads, Mediterranean vegetables and lemon drizzle cake. The summer holiday mood continued in the evening with chocolate fish and chips, wrapped in homemade newspaper cones, mini pasties and chutneys.
Live band Entourage set the dance floor alight with their set list of '60s funk, soul and rock favourites - but it was Anoushka and Simon's choreographed first dance to Otis Redding's 'Hard to Handle' that made for the evening's most memorable moment. "It was so much fun learning it and was a real highlight on the day," she explains.
"Make a timetable, check it's realistic with the venue and circulate it to all key people," advises Anoushka. "Know your budget and stick to it. Look for cheaper alternatives and if you can't afford it try and make it - there is normally a 'how to' blog out there somewhere!"
Photography Russell Talbot www.russelltalbotphotography.co.uk
Venue Buckland Tout-Saints, Kingsbridge www.tout-saints.co.uk
Dress Temperley www.temperleylondon.com
Groom's outfit Moss Bros www.moss.co.uk Tie Thomas Pink www.thomaspink.com
Bridesmaid dresses Oasis www.oasis-stores.com
Hair Sophie Beije www.bysophie.co.uk
Make-up Rachel Gaunt www.rachaelgaunt.com
Entertainment Entourage www.entourageband.co.uk