Love blossomed for Jess and Ruth across a shopfloor one summer in North Devon. Ruth was in Braunton taking care of her Nana when she met Jess at Saltrock, where they were both working for the summer months. “Ruth and I got to know each other and knew we’d each found ‘the one’. Ruth went back to university in Carlisle and I went on to teacher training,” recalls Jess. “Eventually – a year and a bit later – Ruth moved down to Devon!”
Inspired by Ruth’s love for the Lake District, Jess planned the perfect proposal while rowing on the lakes, using her own Gran’s ring that she’d had repurposed for the occasion. “Ruth was shocked – but said yes!” she smiles.
“We have always been inspired by the sea,” Ruth says of the couple’s inspiration behind their wedding. “We wanted a coastal coral vibe, with hints of an Ibizan summer evening.” Shades of coral, turquoise, pinks and gold were used to achieve the look, much of which was handmade by Jess.
“I made place names using stones from the beach, a surfboard guest book and the menu and programme; I also hand-painted the seating plan on a mirror and hand-dried confetti,” she says of her DIY details.
Both Jess and Ruth were accompanied down the aisle by their parents, greeting each other with tears before uttering their own vows. “We sang Ho Hey by The Lumineers with our bridesmaids playing tambourines to the beat!” exclaims Jess, who then danced back down the aisle with Ruth under a shower of confetti.
Guests played an assortment of games before a feast including garlic and lemon chicken skewers, gourmet beef burgers, halloumi and sweet chilli skewers, and pulled pork with a selection of sides.
The speeches provided a particularly memorable moment, with best woman Jenny delivering a speech before Jess and Ruth stood up to share some words with their guests together. With day turning to night, the couple “danced in the sunset and cried with happiness” before returning for the evening’s shenanigans, which included sparklers, s’mores and the first dance to Ben Howard’s Only Love. “We then partied to some classic Ibiza tunes and songs from RuPaul’s Drag Race!” says Ruth.
With so much to take in, then, what was their favourite moment of the day? “We loved every minute as we had taken time to make a lot of the day ourselves,” reflects Jess. “We walked down the aisle to P!nk’s Glitter in the Air played on guitar. It was beautifully played and meant a lot to us both,” she adds.
Celebrating the acceptance of their love for each other was a hugely significant dimension of their day. “As a gay couple, it was important for us to be accepted and show our love as a couple to the world." says Ruth "Our bridesmaids bought us little LGBT heart badges to all wear on the day and our best woman’s speech reiterated that being accepted isn’t always the experience had by the queer community, and to celebrate the support and unconditional love that is with us that day."
“Little and often – as it creeps up so quickly!” is Jess's top note of advice when it comes to planning. “And do not get upset over those who cannot make it – the wedding is for you and there will be so much love around you on the day.”
Photography Sunday Love Photo + Film sundaylove.co.uk
Venue Tunnels Beaches tunnelsbeaches.co.uk
Dresses Rosa Clara & Rish Bridal from Evolved Bridal evolvedbridal.co.uk
Bridesmaids’ dresses TFNC London tfnclondon.com
Hair The Elite Salon Petroc facebook.com/theelitesalonpetroc
Make-up Chloe Bond chloebondmua.com
Flowers From The Wild fromthewildflorist.com
Cake Twice As Nice Cake Design twiceasnicecakedesign.com
Entertainment Laura Kate Music laurakatemusic.com
Rebecca Balzani Barrow facebook.com/MiniatureViolinist
The Wedding Spinner DJ Services theweddingspinner.co.uk
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