Wedding at Deer Park Country Hotel, Devon

Devon's landscape and art deco details inspired a dream wedding for Lynsey and David at Deer Park Country House

"I emailed Dave responding to an advert for a room to rent," says Lynsey, reflecting on their first encounter. "We went for a drink and found out that although we had never met we had gone to the same university and studied the same course at the same time!" she laughs. "We were also working for the same company, only in different offices. It was like the universe was trying to tell us something!"

The couple fell in love with Deer Park Country House Hotel at first sight. "It offers the perfect mixture of classy but laid-back and unpretentious," says Lynsey. "The warm golden light of late summer and the beautiful surrounding landscape inspired our relaxed countryside wedding with an art deco twist."

Flowers were key to the romantic scene, from the bouquets of grown wild countryside flowers to the garland adorning the summerhouse where the al fresco ceremony took place. "In contrast to all the other flowers which were white, the bridal bouquet and groom's buttonhole were a burst of colour," explains Lynsey.

Wedding At The Deer Park Hotel Dave And Lynsey (12 Of 23)

Wedding At The Deer Park Hotel Dave And Lynsey (8 Of 23)

The Italian garden was the ambient setting for the drinks reception, which was followed by a wedding breakfast in the beautifully decorated marquee. On the tables, floral arrangements in antique cut-glass vases sat alongside favours of wildflower seed balls in personalised cotton bags - "to spread lasting beauty of our special day" - and West Country fudge for the little guests. Art deco-style table numbers and place names complemented both the golden candle votives and sounds of the '20s, '30s and '40s swing and big band jazz.

WeddingattheDeerParkHotelDaveandLynsey(19of23)

WeddingattheDeerParkHotelDaveandLynsey(19of23)

Wedding At The Deer Park Hotel Dave And Lynsey (16 Of 23)

The evening party continued in a similarly magical way with dancing in the candlelit marquee to local band Jazzmatazz, who played New Orleans and Dixieland jazz under twinkling fairy lights. Meanwhile, at the bottom of the lawn, guests picked their own pizza toppings and dined by the warmth and glow of the wood-fired oven, completing a dreamy day of celebrations.

Wedding At The Deer Park Hotel Dave And Lynsey (17 Of 23)

"The entire day was unforgettable," reflects David. "But most memorable of all was my first glimpse of my beautiful bride walking down the aisle towards me, with the rolling hills of the Devon countryside in the background. It was everything I'd imagined and more. And even the rain that had briefly threatened thought better of it and decided it was too perfect a moment to interrupt."

"Dream big, stay present and enjoy every moment of your special day," Lynsey urges other soon-to-be-wed couples. "And have a big breakfast - it's a long time until lunch," adds David, wisely.

Photography Emma Solley www.emmasolley.com
Venue Deer Park Country Hotel www.deerparkcountryhotel.co.uk
Dress Charlie Brear www.charliebrear.com
Bridesmaids' dress Coast www.coast-stores.com
Groom's outfit Reiss www.reiss.com
Flowers The Flower Field www.theflowerfield.co.uk
Entertainment Jazzmatazz www.alivenetwork.com

Copyright Wed magazine 2016

Wedding at Deer Park Country Hotel, Devon

A Late Summer's Dream

Wed Directory

More Real Weddings