Photography Clare Kinchin clarekinchinphotography.co.uk Venue Pynes House pyneshouse.co.uk
“We were introduced by a close friend, and the rest is history!” says Masha, recalling the beginning of her love story with Eddy. A few years later, on a crisp autumn dog walk, he asked her to marry him.
With the excitement of the engagement still fresh, the couple began planning with one clear intention: to celebrate the people who had shaped their lives. “One of our main ambitions was to celebrate our family and friends who play such a huge role in who we are,” says Masha. “That’s why Pynes House appealed to us so much – not only is it a beautiful venue but it made it possible for us to host our closest family and friends for several days which made the entire event feel relaxed, natural and completely us.”
Choosing to let the Georgian elegance and beautiful gardens shine, Masha and Eddy kept the styling simple: navy accents for the groomsmen and flower girls, a relaxed brief for the flowers and free rein for the bridesmaids to wear dresses they loved. “We trusted our florist with seasonal blooms and let the bridesmaids choose their own dresses – it all came together so naturally,” says Masha. Seasonal florals set the tone throughout: delicate arrangements adorning the dining room, romantic blooms framing the ceremony and soft colour woven through the day. Masha’s bespoke gown and her bridesmaids’ mix of hues created the perfect modern-summer palette.
The celebrations unfolded over a long summer weekend, beginning with a laid-back Friday night of pizza and homemade sangria. “Everyone travelled such a long way to be with us, so we wanted three days to ensure we got as much time with them as possible,” she adds.
Their ceremony took place in the drawing room, before a window framing rolling Devon hills. “We added a personal touch by writing our own vows and including a reading from my mum,” says Masha.
Afterwards, guests spilled into the gardens for canapés and summer cocktails before sitting down to a sumptuous wedding breakfast: steak with radicchio, beetroot and blue cheese salad; hoisin-glazed pork belly with potatoes and seasonal vegetables; and apple and crème anglaise profiterole sharing boards to finish.
As the sun began to dip, guests enjoyed after-dinner cocktails and an impromptu game of sardines before the newlyweds opened the evening with their first dance. A lively ceilidh kept the celebrations in full swing, followed by a DJ set that filled the dance floor. The weekend drew to a gentle close with a Sunday farewell breakfast prepared by their family and friends. “It was the perfect way to conclude the celebrations,” says Masha.
The couple’s desire to honour their loved ones continued through the speeches. “We incorporated speeches across the whole three days, including between courses of the wedding breakfast,” says Masha. “They were also captured beautifully by our videographer, so we have them to look back on.”
But it’s the quiet pockets that linger most vividly. “Our wedding coordinator, Honorata, was amazing at creating quiet moments for us to let the celebration sink in and make sure we weren’t rushing through it,” says Masha. “Those became the highlights of our day.”
Her advice for other couples? “Don’t wish away the planning stage. Just try to make one decision every weekend which could be as small as: should we have an after-dinner cocktail hour? The answer is always, yes!”
Photography Clare Kinchin clarekinchinphotography.co.uk
Venue Pynes House pyneshouse.co.uk
Suit Orhan London Tailoring orhanlondontailoring.com
Hair Hair by Holly T instagram.com/hairbyhollyt
Flowers The Byes Blooms thebyesblooms.com
Catering Pickle Shack pickleshack.co.uk
Slice One sliceone.uk
Cake Patisserie Valerie patisserie-valerie.co.uk
Stationery design Studio Folk Architects
Entertainment Spinach for Norman spinachfornorman.com
Perfect Wedding DJs perfectweddingdjs.co.uk
Videography Yardbird Filming yardbirdfilming.co.uk
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