Wedding at Shilstone House, Devon

The backdrop of many loved-up getaways from London - and the county in which Rachel grew up - it was entirely fitting that James's proposal took place in Devon. "James popped the question in Sunny Cove, Salcombe. It was perfect: intimate, romantic and thoughtful," says Rachel. The couple had been engaged for barely two hours before they jumped in the car and headed to Shilstone House. "It really took our breath away," comments Rachel. "The house was elegant, the grounds were immaculate and the view of the valley reminded me of growing up as a little girl in Devon."



The date was soon set and planning began for an August wedding which aptly reflected their shared vision. "It was important to us both that our wedding day captured what we both love: the countryside and the beach. We wanted our day to be beautiful, natural and really relaxed, and exude understated elegance," says Rachel.



Table-tops brimmed with ivory hydrangeas, jam jars filled with tea lights, candles and rustic lanterns, while an elegant shell motif featured on the stationery. A palette of pale pinks, creams and greens carried from the natural, pretty floral arrangements to the bridesmaid dresses. Rachel dazzled in a gorgeous full-skirted dress and intricately embellished bodice accessorised with small white flowers in her hair and a sweeping veil; James opted for a dapper ensemble of a tailored navy morning suit and handmade waistcoat.



Rachel walked down the aisle on her father's arm to 'She' by Elvis Costello, inspired by 'Notting Hill', Rachel's favourite film. The instant the couple first laid eyes on each other and taking their vows before their friends and family made for some of the day's most memorable moments. "James and I left the ceremony to 'Fly Me To The Moon' - fun, relaxed and upbeat - one of our favourites," she says. Guests then spilled outside into the sunshine for drinks to a string quartet soundtrack before settling into the beautifully dressed marquee in the walled garden.



Presented in fittingly elegant style, the menu featured some of the couple's favourite dishes, such as asparagus wrapped in Parma ham with crispy duck egg, Devon rump of lamb and crème brûlee. A tower of cheese decorated with foliage and flanked with chutney, fruits and breads made for a show-stopping wedding cake.



Rachel and James ventured into the surrounding fields for some enchanting photographs, complete with the resident cows, as the sun began to set. Covers band Revenge of Gentlemen then saw the marquee in full swing as darkness fell and a carnival of lights illuminated this magical corner of Devon.



"Don't stress at all and enjoy every minute of the preparations and build-up," advises Rachel. "Stick to what you both want: it's your day and the one thing we loved after was everyone saying how 'James and Rach' our day was - so us in every way!"



Photography Ben Selway Photography www.benselwayphotography.co.uk
Venue Shilstone House, Modbury www.shilstondevon.co.uk
Dress Essense www.essensedesigns.com
Bridesmaid dresses Coast www.coast-stores.com
Flower girl dress Monsoon www.monsoon.co.uk
Groom's outfit Marks and Spencer www.marksandspencer.com
Waistcoat Favourbrook www.favourbrook.com
Entertainment String quartet Emma Welton 01392 257066
Revenge of Gentlemen www.facebook.com/RevengeOfGentlemen
Flowers Emma Vowles www.emmavowles.co.uk
Cake Country Cheese Shop www.countrycheeses.co.uk
Hair Jodie Lywood www.jodielywood.wix.com/weddingoccasionhair
Make-up Olivia Kessel oliviakessel@hotmail.co.uk

Copyright Wed magazine 2014