Photography: Clare Kinchin Photography Venue: Hareston Manor
Sophie and Joe first met at secondary school. Friends first, they became a couple at 17 after a party sparked romance. Some years later, Joe chose a moment rich in meaning to propose. “It was the day my family were leaving our farm that we’ve farmed for four generations,” Sophie recalls. “We went for one last walk around the farm and Joe popped the question. He tried to get our springer spaniel Finley to play a part, but he had other ideas!”
The sun-soaked landscapes of the South Hams provided the dream setting for their summer wedding. The couple wed at St George’s Church in Modbury – the same church where Sophie’s parents married – before a tipi reception at Hareston Manor.
A palette of pale pink, accented with gold and brighter floral pops, set a romantic tone. Creamy pink roses took centre stage in the bouquets, while seasonal blooms, glass vases, soft-pink linens and tapered candles created elegant tablescapes. Pressed wildflowers added a romantic, whimsical touch to the tiered cake.
The ceremony brimmed with nostalgia. “We chose a hymn sung at my parents’ wedding and some cheerful hymns from our childhood at the church as well as an instrumental version of Shania Twain's You're Still The One,” says Sophie. As newlyweds, the couple made their exit through an arch of oars – a joyful nod to Joe’s role in the Yealm Regatta.
At Hareston Manor, guests basked in the sunshine with welcome drinks as a saxophonist added a laid-back elegance. “It was wonderful to see all our favourite people having the best time, the sun shining and our dream wedding become a reality,” says Sophie.
Inside the tipi, speeches were followed by a delicious wedding breakfast of bruschetta, roast beef and sharing boards of miniature cheesecakes and tiramisu. Later, cocktails and garden games beckoned in the golden light, while Sophie and Joe slipped away for a golden-hour photo shoot by the lake – where some lambs made an appearance. “Some lambs escaped and crashed our couple shots! It was lovely and very unexpected,” laughs Sophie. “Those moments, just the two of us having a laugh, are some of my favourites.”
As evening fell, more guests joined the celebration. The couple’s first dance to Luke Combs’ Beautiful Crazy was especially meaningful. “Joe has always been a fan of Luke Combs,” explains Sophie. “A live singer performed it in a pub one night and Joe dragged me onto the dance floor – which was very unlike him. After that I knew it was the one. The lyrics resonated a lot.” With wood-fired pizzas and live band Wildcard fuelling the party, guests danced into the night.
Reflecting on their celebrations, Sophie offers a key piece of advice to other couples: “Book the big things as soon as you can – venue, band, catering – then you can relax and enjoy planning the smaller details that make it special and personal to you."
Photography Clare Kinchin clarekinchinphotography.co.uk
Venue Hareston Manor harestonwedding.co.uk
Dress Made With Love Bridal madewithlovebridal.com
Bridesmaids’ dresses Coast coastfashion.com
Suit Hawes and Curtis hawesandcurtis.co.uk
Groomsmen’s suits M&S marksandspencer.com
Hair Lucy Searle Hair instagram.com/hairbylucysearle
Make-up Hannah May instagram.com/hannahmaymakeupartist
Flowers Thorn thornflowers.uk
Catering Mulberry Catering Co mulberrycatering.co.uk
Cake Divine Wedding Cakes divineweddingcakes.uk
Stationery Cotton Bird cottonbird.uk
Etsy etsy.co.uk
Transport Westcountry Wedding Cars westweddingcars.co.uk
Entertainment Jade Gall instagram.com/jadegallmusic
Wildcard entertainment-nation.co.uk/wildcard
Videography Limitless Visionary limitlessvisionary.com
