Wedding at Hawke Barn, Devon

Meeting at a mutual friend’s birthday party, Sophie and Tyler “clicked straight away and went on about 10 dates in the first two weeks of knowing each other!” she fondly remembers. “Our first date was at an escape room, so on our two-year anniversary we went back – but Tyler had spoken to the escape room ahead of time so there was an engagement ring hidden in the final vault we were trying to break into. Typically, I was so invested in solving the escape room that it took a minute for me to realise what was happening when he got down on one knee!"

Choosing a “bright and fun” colour scheme, the couple created a festival themed celebration in the charm-filled setting of Hawke Barn. “We had hundreds of handmade pom-poms in different colours all over the venue and as table decorations,” says Sophie. “These were all made by my family, mostly my nan – who has said that she never wants to see another pom-pom in her life!”

It was important to Sophie and Tyler to involve as many of their friends and family as possible – which they achieved through the décor as well as a family friend doing Sophie’s hair, another providing the flowers, a close friend making the welcome and order of the day signs, Sophie’s mum making the cake and Tyler’s uncle leading their ceremony. “He is a minister of a church in Canada and has presided over most family weddings and christenings," explains Sophie. Logistically, this meant that we had to have a small legal ceremony the day before, but he brought with him the marriage register from his church, which means our marriage is officially registered in Canada as well as in the UK!”

Flanked by miles of rolling countryside, their lakeside ceremony was a beautiful affair. Their guests sat on hay bales covered with blankets while the couple took their vows and some of the most important people in their lives did the readings, including the friend who introduced them. "It was a fairly traditional ceremony, but made incredibly special by the intimacy of only having a small number of guests and having a family member as our celebrant," reflects Sophie.

The reception featured drinks and canapés in the scenic grounds and paella and a dessert buffet in the vibrantly styled barn before the evening festivities began with another ceremony. “We had a unity candle ceremony and first dance – to McFly’s All About You – and then danced the night away!” she says.

Pulled pork rolls were served and drinks were flowing as guests danced long into the evening. “Looking back, the whole day feels like such a blur, but the most special thing to us was that both sides of our family were able to be together. A lot of Tyler’s family live abroad so it was the first time a lot of people had met,” reflects Sophie, who has some stellar advice for those planning their weddings. “Communicate, delegate and don’t underestimate the power of a good spreadsheet!”

 Reminiscing on such a special day, there’s one memory that will stay with the bride for a long time. “At the very end of the night, after all of the dancing and high energy, our DJ played one final slow song before everyone went home,” she says. “It was a perfect end to the night, and Tyler and I were able to take a step back and look at all of our loved ones slow dancing together and feel how much love was in the room.”