Wedding at The Church of St Mary the Virgin, Devon

Spring Romance

School friends Janine and Chris got together when they were travelling the world during their gap year. Chris chose the romantic setting of a Portuguese vineyard bathed in the early morning light to pop the question. “As we were looking at the beautiful scenery, he whispered that he had an early birthday present for me,” says Janine. “When I turned around, he was down on one knee. He produced a beautiful ring and asked me to marry him.”



Choosing a venue for their spring wedding was easy: their local church in Cheriton Bishop, which is opposite their home, followed by a marquee reception at nearby Cox’s Farm.





The couple opted for a traditional English country garden theme to reflect the picturesque setting. The styling was a blend of pretty muted colours and natural details: an array of classic country flowers, such as pink and ivory roses, freesias, carnations and gypsophila, featured in the bouquets, buttonholes and the birdcage table centrepieces.





Continuing the theme, Janine’s stunning Ian Stuart dress was full of gorgeous floral embellishment. The bridesmaids wore aqua green maxi dresses and the pageboys dressed in tartan waistcoats and trousers to reflect Janine’s father’s Scottish heritage.




 
No transport was necessary for this idyllic village celebration; Janine walked to the church with her father for the ceremony. “Afterwards, we all made our way to the marquee, which was just two minutes from the house, and enjoyed Pimm’s, champagne and canapés outside while taking in the views of the moors,” says Janine.



The mouth-watering three-course dinner included summer salad with fresh asparagus, Mediterranean dressing and feta, followed by a choice of salmon or beef Wellington and a trio of desserts comprising lemon tart, quenelle of chocolate and raspberries in a brandy snap basket. A chocolate cake topped with an abundance of fresh fruit made a show-stopping centrepiece to the feast.



After dinner, everyone went outside to watch the sunset over the moors. After the sun had slipped beneath the horizon, guests gathered around the dance floor for the first dance. “This was a very special moment for us both as Chris and I had arranged to pre-record me singing Adele’s ‘Make You Feel My Love’ in a recording studio and we played it as our first dance to add that personal touch,” reflects Janine. Torbay-based band Freeway then performed an extensive repertoire of songs from ‘60s classics through to contemporary numbers into the small hours.



Janine counts her favourite moments as: “Seeing each other for the first time on the day as I walked down the aisle, and when the vicar announced us as husband and wife!”



Her advice to other brides is simple: “Relax and enjoy every second of it! If you have fun, so will all your guests.”



The venue
The Church of St Mary the Virgin followed by a marquee reception at Cox’s Farm, Cheriton Bishop

The dress
Ian Stuart
www.ianstuart-bride.com

The flowers
Nicola Wright Designs
01392 467301 www.nicolawright.co.uk

Photography
Emma Solley Photography
01392 848500 www.emmasolley.com


Copyright WED Magazine 2011