Wedding at Sands on the Beach, Saunton Sands, Devon

Having met during a ski season in Val d'Isère in the French Alps, it was entirely fitting that Carrie-Anne and Mark celebrated their engagement in the French capital. Mark actually popped the question on a cliff top in Croyde and, after placing the ring on her finger, he gave her a bedroom key to the Woolacombe Bay Hotel, where they spent the night, and a guidebook to Paris. "He had booked us three nights in Paris for the next day! It was just the most amazing proposal ever," says Carrie-Anne.



Settling on a vintage country garden theme, Carrie-Anne and her family and friends made most of the decor. "This made for a very personal approach to the whole day," she says. The rustic details included handmade bunting, bay trees for the table centerpieces, homemade cupcakes for favours and even a milk churn for guests' wedding cards.





Carrie-Anne donned a gorgeous Benjamin Roberts gown. "I loved the big bow and the white stones along the neckline - the details where just perfection and the fabric was just beautiful to touch and wear." The pretty bridesmaid dresses were customised with sashes made from the same material.





The couple took their vows during a lunchtime ceremony at Pilton Church before relocating to The Sands Cafe on Saunton Sands. "We had a beautiful VW campervan that took Mark, the bridesmaids and I to the reception. My dad drove us and it was so much fun drinking sparkling wine together!" Carrie-Anne recalls.



The couple selected a simple sit-down meal of chicken liver pâte, bangers and mash and toffee pecan cheesecake. "We opted for our favorite meal as we wanted something that was different and personal," says Carrie-Anne. A CD of the couple's favourite tunes provided the soundtrack to the wedding breakfast before a DJ took the helm for the lively evening disco.



Carrie-Anne's favourite moments include: "Waiting outside the church to go in with my dad and seeing Mark as I turned down the aisle. I also loved the photos on the beach, our first dance and the bridesmaids' dance for Mark to 'Son of a Preacher Man' (as Mark's dad is a preacher!)."





"For our honeymoon we decided we wanted something that we would most likely never do again so Las Vegas it was - and it was amazing!" They stayed at the MGM for ten nights and enjoyed a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon, which was "just perfect."



Carrie-Anne's advice for others is to ensure that the event focuses on you as a couple. "Pay for it yourselves, then you can pretty much have the day you want. Also, forget about what other people might think - just do what suits you both."



The venue
Pilton Church followed by Sands on the Beach, Saunton Sands
01271 891288 www.sauntonsands.com

The dress
Benjamin Roberts from Frilly Frocks, Barnstaple
01271 344338 www.frillyfrocks.co.uk

Photography
Lucy Shergold
07859 940769 www.lucyshergoldphotography.co.uk

Copyright WED Magazine 2011