Fate was quietly at work when Jenny and George first met as police officers in Surrey back in 2018. “We worked in different departments but would cross paths occasionally,” says George. “There was always something between us, but it wasn’t until February 2020 that we started dating.”
A festive city creak set the scene for their engagement. While exploring Bruges in December 2021, the couple made a detour on their way to dinner to visit the famed ‘kissing bridge’. “As we were walking over the bridge, I turned around and George was down on one knee,” says Jenny. “It was a beautiful winter’s evening with almost no one else around – a perfect proposal followed by ribs and beer for dinner!”
After relocating to Devon, the couple began searching for a wedding venue. Hours of scrolling eventually led them to Ashridge Great Barn – and it was love at first sight. “From the first viewing we knew it was the one,” says George. “With its huge rustic stone barn and grounds, we couldn’t have asked for a better setting.”
A theme of rustic elegance carried through their summer celebration, reflecting the beauty of the countryside surroundings. “We wanted a laid-back feel with natural materials and textures, adding finer details for a sense of style and finish,” says Jenny. The barn was dressed with vibrant wildflowers, wooden feasting tables and soft fabric draping, balancing countryside charm with modern sophistication.
Though they had planned to marry outside, the weather forecast led to a last-minute switch inside the barn – and it couldn’t have worked out better. A piper announced Jenny’s arrival as she walked down the aisle to an instrumental cover of All the Small Things by Blink 182. Their niece read a poem during the ceremony. “She expertly reduced everyone in the room to blubbering messes!” Jenny laughs.
Following the vows, guests enjoyed cocktails on the lawn, taking in the tranquil Devon views. Inside, vintage bottles filled with peach dahlias and foliage decorated the tabletops. Dinner featured braised beef feather blade with dauphinoise potatoes and a bourguignon garnish, beetroot risotto with goat’s cheese and tarragon, and desserts of baked salted caramel cheesecake and Eton mess.
As the sun set, disco bingo – hosted by Jenny’s friends – kicked off the evening party. “Instead of numbers, songs were played for guest to tick off,” explains Jenny. “The prize was a disco ball cowboy hat which got passed around all night. It was a brilliant way to get everyone singing and dancing ready for the evening.”
Their first dance was to Be Mine by David Gray. “It’s a song we always played on road trips when we first started dating, and the lyrics mean a lot to us,” says George. A surprise saxophone performance to Waiting for a Star to Fall kept the energy soaring, while late-night pizza helped fuel the dance floor.
For George, one moment stands out. “Waiting for Jenny to arrive whilst holding our little boy - feeling very nervous but those nerves instantly going as soon as I saw her.” For Jenny: “Sitting with George at our sweetheart table during dinner and taking it all in together for the first time. That and the dancing!”
Their advice? “We didn’t have a wedding planner, so the biggest help for us was to download an app to keep track of everything,” says Jenny.
Photography Melanie Barnfield melaniebarnfieldphotography.com
Venue Ashridge Great Barn ashridgegreatbarn.co.uk
Dress Stella York from Brides at Waterfields bridesatwaterfields.co.uk
Veil Sash + Veil sashandveil.co.uk
Bridesmaids’ dresses Debenhams debenhams.com
Flower girl dress Next next.co.uk
Kilts MacGregor and MacDuff macgregorandmacduff.co.uk
Hair Claire Hartley clairehartleystylist.co.uk
Make-up Briony’s Beauty instagram.com/brionys.beauty
Flowers Bumble & Iris bumbleandirisflowers.co.uk
Catering Pretty Little Pastries prettylittlepastries.co.uk
Bar Wild Blue Bar
Napkins 88 Events 88events.com
Furniture Taddle Farm Tents taddlefarmtents.co.uk
Entertainment Visual Sax visualsax.com
Wiltshire Piper wiltshirepiper.co.uk
