Jon chose a poignant place to propose - Baggy Point in Croyde Bay - in January 2014. "Croyde is very special to me as I spent many childhood holidays there with my family," explains Gemma. "I had no idea Jon was going to propose. I was so shocked, but so happy. He had packed a lunch bag and even smuggled a bottle of champagne into his rucksack!"
Gemma soon fell in love with another beautiful spot on the North Devon coast: Ocean Kave in Westward Ho! "The views were amazing and the cave was stunning - it was such a different venue compared with other weddings we had been to, which was what we wanted," comments Gemma.
The theme was shabby chic punctuated with details reflecting the couple's love of the beach and holidays they had been on together, such as the table plan - a vintage suitcase painted with Annie Sloan paint and lined with map material - the message in a bottle place names and holiday destination table names. "The colour theme was turquoise/mint and orange. My dad sadly passed away a few years back and his favourite colour was orange, so I wanted to incorporate this," says Gemma. "We had orangey peach flowers and Terry's Chocolate Oranges as favours - my dad's favourite!" Hints of mint around the venue and the bridesmaids' Pantone turquoise dresses completed the look.
Shoe fanatic Gemma teamed her stunning fishtail gown with a pair of Christian Louboutin heels, while her bouquet featured peach avalanche roses, David Austin Juliette roses, Miss Piggy roses and succulents, as well as small photos of her dad and grandparents amidst the flowers.
Gemma made her entrance into Ocean Kave on her brother Matt's arm for her highlight of the day. "My favourite moment was the part of the day I was most nervous and apprehensive about: walking down the aisle and the ceremony. Surprisingly I was so calm, as I am normally quite shy," she explains. "Seeing Jon was a favourite moment too, it was very special. The ceremony was so relaxed and just how we wanted it."
Guests spilled outside into the sunshine and tucked into canapes and Prosecco on the lawn followed by the wedding breakfast, which was served alongside mesmerising ocean views in the Sunset Rooms. The feast included baked Camembert, Ruby Devon beef with Yorkshire pudding and sweet fish and chips. Pasties were served as a nod to Jon's Cornish heritage in the evening, while an iPod playlist and photo booth provided the entertainment.
Reflecting on their magical day, Gemma has plenty of advice for other couples. "Enjoy every aspect of the planning as it is all part of it and it will be over before you know it. Do plenty of research so that every detail is how you want it," she advises. Try and sit back and take in every moment of the day if you can, take a mental picture.
Photography Rebecca Roundhill www.rebeccaroundhill.co.uk
Venue Ocean Kave www.oceankave.co.uk
Dress Justin Alexander from Anne Harding www.anneharding.com
Bridesmaid dresses Dessy www.dessy.com
Flowers Blooms of Bideford www.blooms-of-bideford.com
Entertainment Kooky Booths www.kookybooths.co.uk
Copyright Wed magazine 2015
