Photography Katie Goff katiegoffphotography.com Venue Wooladon Estate wooladonestate.co.uk
Jess and Lucy have a dating app to thank for their love story. “We decided spontaneously to meet up in a Wetherspoons pub – the perfect place to find love, as joked about in Jess’s speech!” says Lucy. “That was the first time our paths crossed, and the rest is history.”
Dartmoor provided the scenic setting for Lucy’s picnic proposal. “Just as Lucy popped the question, the sun came out,” says Jess. Not to be outdone, Jess planned her own surprise a few months later during dinner at a restaurant on Bath Bridge, presenting Lucy with a cake iced with the words ‘Will you marry me?’.
When it came to planning their wedding, Wooladon Estate ticked every box. The rural setting proved the perfect backdrop for their 70s disco-inspired celebration, with burnt orange emerging as the defining hue. Flowers played a starring role in bringing the vision to life, with vibrant arrangements in shades of orange, punctuated with pink and yellow, created a joyful retro feel. “Flowers were very important to us and we both had our favourite blooms included in our bouquets,” says Lucy. “They brought us so much joy.”
Bridesmaids embraced the theme in suits and dresses in tonal shades of burnt orange, while disco balls, vinyl records repurposed as a seating plan and retro guest books enhanced the party mood. Jess designed the stationery herself, drawing on vintage diner aesthetics, while thrifted vintage wine glasses, silk orange napkins and velvet runners sat alongside brass candlesticks, mini disco balls and amber vases brimming with blooms. “Seeing it all come together exactly how we wanted made it so worth it,” says Jess. “Collecting everything along the way was such a fun part of the process.”
The ceremony unfolded on the lawn to the stirring sound of a violin trio. Framed by blooms, the couple exchanged self-penned vows in a deeply personal affair led by their celebrant, Tina. Morning rain cleared just in time, and in a touching gesture, Tina presented them with rainwater she had collected earlier that day. “It was such a special moment,” says Lucy. As they walked back down the aisle in the sunshine, the atmosphere was electric. “It was amazing seeing how happy everyone was.”
Drinks were served by the lake to the soundtrack of a live saxophonist. “The sun was shining as we danced on tables – it was just beautiful.” After photos and limoncello shots, the newlyweds made a triumphant entrance into the barn holding cut-outs of their beloved cats, who also featured on their heart-shaped cake. A gourmet barbecue feast followed, delivering the relaxed, festival-style feast they’d envisioned. Speeches were both hilarious and moving, before guests spilled outside for a Pimm’s hour, once again soundtracked by saxophone. “The saxophone was an absolute highlight – everyone loved the Ibiza anthems.”
Their first dance was to Can’t Take My Eyes Off You before the floor filled for a set of pop-punk favourites from Black Hearts. “We share a love of pop punk music,” says Jess. “It was one of the first things we bonded over.” Late-night Cornish pasties made by Lucy’s dad and stepmum offered a nod to her roots.
Looking back, the couple treasure the speeches from their best women. “We felt so much love from everyone.” Seeing every generation embrace the dance floor was another highlight. Their advice? “Remember it’s your day. It can be as traditional or non-traditional as you like. Have fun with colour, go with the flow and, if you love being crafty, embrace it – we had so much fun preparing all the little details.”
Photography Katie Goff katiegoffphotography.com
Venue Wooladon Estate wooladonestate.co.uk
Dress Rouvéll rouvell.com
Suit Reiss reiss.com
Hair Chelsea Parker Hair instagram.com/hairbychelseaparker
Make-up Dolled by Dex instagram.com/dolledbydex
Celebrant Camomile Ceremonies camomileceremonies.com
Flowers Moth Florist mothflorist.com
Catering Porky Swiners porkyswiners.com
Cakes Daamn Good Bakes daamngoodbakes.co.uk
Entertainment Sorelli Strings sorellistrings.com
James Harris Sax jamesharrissax.co.uk
Black Hearts blackheartsband.uk
Videography Lyra & Moth lyraandmoth.co.uk
