Photography Toby Lidstone tobylidstonephotography.co.uk Venue Harefield Barn harefieldbarn.co.uk
It was a shared love of hockey that first sparked something between Katie and James, who met at a club social. “I was swooned by James’ dance moves – which says a lot, as I was completely sober!” laughs Katie.
James’ proposal was thoughtfully plotted through a series of envelopes, each with a question guiding the day – from what Katie fancied for breakfast to where they should head for a walk. She chose Dartmouth, a place threaded with happy family memories, and the couple set off for a beach picnic with their dog, Poppy. But the weather had other plans. Drenched and sheltering under a tree, James handed over the final envelope. “I turned it over and it said ‘Will you marry me?’" says Katie. "Poppy, not wanting to be left out, jumped up and nearly sent the ring flying! It didn’t go quite to plan, but it was perfectly us.”
Dreaming of a “relaxed rustic Devon barn feel”, they were instantly drawn to Harefield Barn. Its sweeping views and wildflower-framed setting shaped the aesthetic of the day. “We didn’t want to detract from the beautiful backdrop,” says Katie. “So we kept everything soft and natural – a gentle green palette with lots of wildflowers.”
Their florist crafted the bouquets and buttonholes, while family and friends rallied to fill the venue with blooms. “We sourced flowers from South Milton Flower Farm and then went foraging for wildflowers like daisies, cornflower, mint, cow parsley and foxgloves,” she says. Loved ones even dried petals from their gardens to make homemade confetti.
Sustainability was woven into the details, from décor found via friends, charity shops, Etsy and Facebook Marketplace to repurposed styling touches. “As an environmental consultant, it was really important to me to make the most sustainable choices we could,” says Katie.
A gloriously sunny day meant the ceremony could take place outdoors, with rolling Devon hills framing the vows and vocalist Sara Leanne setting the tone with soulful vocals. “We asked an old family friend to write a reading for us, but we hadn't heard it beforehand,” says Katie. “It was hilarious! He's a bit of a local pantomime legend, so I knew it wouldn't disappoint!”
After the ‘I dos’, guests soaked up the sunshine with drinks and canapés before gathering in the barn for a Mediterranean flavours. Sharing boards piled with charcuterie, marinated vegetables, olives and warm flatbreads opened the meal, followed by a hearty main of lemon, garlic and herb chicken, pork souvlaki, Greek potatoes and vibrant salads. Afterwards, everyone spilled outside for ice cream and sorbets.
As golden hour bathed the hills, Katie and James took to the patio for their first dance. “I’d been dreading it, but it ended up being such an intimate, lovely moment,” she recalls.
A lively ceilidh – “absolute carnage but great fun!” – ignited the evening celebrations, with a pizza van on hand to fuel revellers before a disco brought the night to a joyful close.
Their standout moment? “Taking a little moment of calm under the tree outside, just watching our friends and family dancing, chatting and having a lovely time," says Katie. "It felt incredibly special that they were all there for us.”
She concludes with a piece of advice for couples in the midst of planning: “Break everything into manageable chunks – and don't forget to enjoy the process.”
Photography Toby Lidstone tobylidstonephotography.co.uk
Venue Harefield Barn harefieldbarn.co.uk
Dress Bridal Beauty Devon bridalbeautydevon.co.uk
Alterations Honiton Dressmaker honitondressmaker.co.uk
Bridesmaids’ dresses Coast coastfashion.com
Flower girl dress Monsoon monsoon.co.uk
Suits Moss moss.co.uk
Hair Laura Bukin Hair laurabukinhair.com
Make-up Alice Holden Beauty instagram.com/alice_holden_beauty
Catering Titley Green titleygreen.co.uk
The Devon Fizz Company thedevonfizzcompany.com
Pizza A Legna pizzaalegna.com
Flowers Pumpkin & Pye pumpkinpye.com
Tables Unique Designs by Tina instagram.com/uniquedesignsbytina
Entertainment Sara Leanne saraleanne.com
Freedom Field Ceilidh Band freedomfields.band
