Wedding at Killerton House, Devon

When Tom proposed to Alice in the Maldives, there was no question in her mind where they would marry. "I have endless memories of playing at Killerton House as a child, laughter and joy, family and friends - it is very much home to me," she says. Over the years, Killerton has come to hold special memories for Alice and Tom as a couple. "We have enjoyed countless walks around the breath-taking grounds of the estate with our dogs," she explains.



Once the couple had secured a special marriage licence from the Archbishop of Canterbury to marry in the chapel on the estate, they set about planning a wedding in keeping with the country setting. "We wanted to achieve a 'Great British Bake Off' feel with lots of bunting, vintage china and pastel colours," explains Alice. A team of friends and family pitched in to help the couple decorate their marquee with all manner of handcrafted details. "Every little detail of our wedding had a personal story or touch to it. Tom and I sat in front of the wood burner night after night during the winter and made napkins for the tables and covers for the jam jars. Our heart and souls went into this wedding," reveals Alice.



Alice looked the picture of elegance in her lace gown as she made her way to the chapel in the sunshine. It was a quintessentially Devon affair, from the sheep grazing the fields they passed as they wandered to the marquee after the ceremony to the vintage games on the lawn before parkland vistas.



In keeping with the mood, the wedding breakfast was an afternoon tea. "Not only are the array of sandwiches, cakes and scones delicious but they are so quintessentially Devon and a celebration of colours and flavours," says Alice. The treats were served on mismatched vintage china collected from vintage fairs and car boot sales. In the evening, five-piece band Capital Groove ensured the party went off with a swing.



Being a nanny, it was important for Alice that children played a key role in the wedding. "We had 16 young children at our wedding. The kids really did make the wedding special for us," she says. "Our wedding was without a doubt the best day of our lives," she continues. "Our families and friends contributed to this wedding in so many ways both before and during the day; there was just such a wonderful feeling of togetherness."



Alice is replete with advice for couples struggling through the planning process. "Firstly, make sure you delegate. Give members of your family and friends jobs. They want to help and feel involved so ensure you spread the jobs out between them. And secondly, enjoy every second, the day will be over before you know it so make sure you take time to stop and look around and absorb the atmosphere."





Photography Joshua Gooding www.joshgooding.co.uk
Venue Killerton House www.nationaltrust.org.uk/killerton
Dress Suzanne Neville www.suzanneneville.com
Bridesmaid dresses Reiss www.reiss.com
Flower girl dress M&S www.marksandspencer.com
Hair Toni and Guy, Exeter www.toniandguy.com
Make-up Josie Lock www.josielock.co.uk
Groom's outfit Next www.next.co.uk
Bouquets and buttonholes Sarah Pepper www.sarahpepper.co.uk
Games The Very Vintage Hire Company www.veryvintagehire.co.uk
Entertainment Capital Groove www.capitalgroove.co.uk


Copyright Wed magazine 2014