e Fr e
2014
love
real life
romantic & unique weddings
Beautiful Bouquets
seasonal flowers for every budget
countryside coastal
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Venues food • health & beauty • decorations • photography • rings Love Weddings ND Cover.indd 4
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Welcome
14 2 Welcome North Devon is a treasure trove of beautiful beaches, exceptional countryside views and flourishing local businesses; together providing the perfect components for any dream wedding. Inside Love Weddings 2014 we’ve got top wedding venues, beautiful bouquets and centrepieces for every season, unique accessories and vintage sweet treats. I caught up with couples who have already planned and enjoyed their special day in North Devon, including big wave surfer Andrew Cotton and his musically gifted wife Katie, whose relaxed barn wedding provides much inspiration for the personal bride. While Claire and Jon Wilkinson’s strong ties with the coast provided the perfect back-drop for their romantic coastal reception. Wedding dress boutiques and gentlemen’s tailors provide the top trends for 2014, and local photographers showcase their outstanding shots. Celebrated for both its unique and traditional qualities, North Devon has plenty to offer couples getting married this year. I hope you will be inspired by the stories, advice and features in Love Weddings 2014. Have a wonderful time planning your wedding!
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Venues Fashion Seasons Flowers, Accessories, Entertainment, Transport
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Vintage The Photographers’ Gallery Food Health, Beauty & Fitness Bridesmaids Maid of Honour & Hen Do Best Man & Stag Do Real Life Love
Advertising Manager: Dale Sawyer Editor: Dawn Stephens-Borg Project Coordinator: Fiona Clarke Design: Creative Hub
On the Cover Photographer: Christian Michael Photography Model Lucy Morcombe
www.northdevonjournal.co.uk
Dawn Stephens-Borg, editor.
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Venues
Getting married
in North Devon
North Devon offers a wealth of unique wedding venues, famed for its equally outstanding countryside and coastline, Devon boasts beautiful views and locations for any type of wedding. Throughout Love Weddings, explore the variety of options for your venue, from rare decommissioned churches to luxurious coastal venues, to find the perfect setting for your dream wedding. Secret caves on cliff tops and countryside hideaways are all part of the Devon
experience, with many venues offering the help of their dedicated and gifted staff to take care of the wedding preparations, and create the day you’ve always hoped for. Whether you’re planning a wedding with 20 or 120 guests, there are a range of options for your wedding day to ensure that your guests are treated to a magnificent day. So whether you’re thinking of a laid back beach wedding or a luxurious countryside extravaganza, gather some inspiration from these beautiful venues.
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Coastal
Venues
Saunton Sands Hotel If you are seeking a luxurious wedding with stunning coastal views, the Saunton Sands Hotel offers an outstanding wedding package offering a superb location and a stylish venue. A licensed venue, Saunton provides a dream setting for a spring or summer wedding, and also caters for a magical winter wedding on the coast. The broad picture windows are perfect for looking out onto the sea, sand and sky on your wedding day. With its outstanding location above a beautiful three-mile stretch of golden beach, the elegant Art Deco styled hotel provides a luxurious venue for a stylish wedding. Saunton Sands Hotel also offers the assistance of a personal wedding organiser, to help you create your dream wedding.
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Venues
Exclusive
OceanKave reveals brand new sunset rooms
Ocean Kave is nestled in the cliff tops of the North Devon coastline, and provides a completely private space for a unique wedding experience. With the introduction of the brand new Sunset Rooms, the team at Ocean Kave has carefully considered each detail, so that everyone can have their perfect day. From bespoke cocktails to match each couple, to a specially integrated lighting system that will co-ordinate the exact tone and hue for whichever colour scheme you have for your day, The Sunset Rooms space is versatile and adaptable to your wedding. Kathy Murdoch, owner of Ocean Kave said: “The Sunset Rooms was purpose built and designed for couples wanting a unique and intimate space after their ceremony. The design concept was a direct result of watching the first season’s weddings and a case of creating something magical which would enhance the venue.” Accompanying the outstanding cave overlooking the beautiful coastline, The Sunset Rooms provide an elegant and luxurious space for guests to revel in a delicious reception dinner created by the venue’s very own chefs, all the while in completely private land with panoramic sea views.
Alongside the versatile and delectable menu on offer, the chefs are happy to work with you to create your dream menu, no matter how extravagant or simple. The team has an extensive range of contacts to help you create your dream wedding. With the couple always in mind, the team will support and advise you, and will encourage every idea for the wedding to suit your needs, and strive to create a beautiful and memorable ceremony for every couple. Kathy said: “Everything is in one location; food, award winning bridal accommodation and optional accommodation for the guests, licensed ceremony room, staff, and in house wedding coordinators.” The Ocean Kave and The Sunset Rooms are not part of a ‘package’ wedding, instead, Kathy states that any couple can hold their wedding at Ocean Kave, and they will arrange a wedding to suit each couple individually. To read about the first wedding at The Sunset Rooms, turn to page 61.
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Venues
Woolacombe Bay Hotel For a traditional beachfront wedding, the Woolacombe Bay Hotel provides an exceptional coastal setting in a unique building. The hotel also offers three rooms licenced for civil ceremonies, perfect for both small intimate gatherings and large extravagant ceremonies. Located between the beautiful National Trust headland and the vast blue sea, the Woolacombe Bay Hotel provides the opportunity to exchange your vows overlooking the Atlantic. This spectacular venue has evolved over the last thirty years, combining timeless elegance with special touches that add luxury to the hotel. With a unique mix of old world splendour and modern cutting edge design, the venue boasts a varied range of rooms for your big day.
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Venues
Countryside Venues Highbullen Hotel
Highbullen Hotel is a magnificent country manor set in 125 acres of mature parkland, nestled above the Mole and Taw valleys. The venue offers stunning views in a romantic location for your wedding, in every season. Throughout the summer, a large outdoor terrace and croquet lawn both provide perfect spaces for ceremonies and receptions beside the Manor House. In the autumn the valleys provide a natural colour pallet of rich golds, reds and yellows before the crisp clear winter days set in, highlighting further spectacular views across Exmoor. Highbullen Hotel can cater for a small private reception, or if you dream of a beautiful marquee and dancing, the venue is able to support every type of wedding. Highbullen’s own chefs can provide exquisite menus for you to choose from. The venue is also licensed to host civil marriages, so that you and your guests can enjoy your perfect celebration at Highbullen Hotel for the entire day. Additionally, with 36 hotel rooms available, wedding guests are also able to stay in luxury accommodation in this delightful setting.
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Castle Hill Venues
Castle Hill
Castle Hill in Filleigh has recently announced the completion of the restoration at The Holwell Temple. This extraordinary temple is perched on a hill in the woods, overlooking the river valley towards the main house, and provides a beautiful venue for weddings. The Holwell Temple was built in 1771, and is the most stunning and elaborate of Matthew Lord Fortescue’s eighteenth century extensions into the landscape. The Temple is Roman in design, and was originally built as a house. For those seeking something decidedly different in a venue, this is an excellent choice. The Temple provides a more rustic
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option for weddings than the main house at Castle Hill. H&A Catering will provide exquisite menus with Moroccan and Italian inspired themes amongst others, including large lamb tagines, curries, wood fuelled pizza ovens and hog roasts. An exceptional venue, The Holwell Temple can accommodate 60 guests for a ceremony and up to 100 for a reception.
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Venues
Northcote Manor Northcote Manor in Umberleigh boasts impressive grounds of 25 acres, with outstanding views over the river Taw and the surrounding valleys. This versatile venue offers an idyllic romantic setting, in the historic manor dating back 300 years. Northcote Manor promises to create a magical day, whether you decide to have an intimate ceremony with two guests, or 120 guests. With three beautiful licensed ceremony rooms to choose from, your whole day can be held at Northcote Manor. The Oak room and Conservatory allow the exquisite main house to be enjoyed, while the outside sanctuary can also be appreciated in full while you take your vows. The venue’s award winning kitchen provides an exceptional catering service, and the chef/manager Richie is at hand to help you create a personalised menu based around the produce available to you, in any season.
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Venues Venues
Beaconside
Country House Estate
For a beautiful countryside retreat, the Beaconside Country House Estate near Bideford provides a delightful walled garden for the ceremony, alongside an impressive main house complete with an indoor pool. For the wedding reception there is a marquee available to hire, which caters for 180 people. The country house features private swimming pools and hot tubs, and is perfect for any couple seeking a weekend wedding retreat for family and friends in the North Devon countryside.
The Old Church at Travellers Rest
The Old Church at Travellers Rest in North Devon dates back to 1866, and was still in use until 1970. The attractive building is constructed of local stone with a terracotta tiled roof, and looks over the small hamlet of Travellers Rest. Situated in a tranquil rural setting, the church offers beautiful south facing views. With Victorian gothic doors, a large stone fireplace and a panelled staircase, the Old Church offers plenty of original features. The Old Church is a civil ceremony venue, and provides a bespoke service to cater for all your requirements on your wedding day. The exceptional main room can seat 60 people, and the venue can also provide a small cream tea or canapĂŠs reception prior to moving on to a full reception.
Beaford House Another beautiful venue, in a peaceful and secluded location, is Beaford House. With breath-taking views towards Dartmoor, Beaford House provides a stunning setting for weddings in every season. Winter weddings offer warmth and a cosy atmosphere, with log fires in the reception rooms, while spring and summer weddings offer plenty of outdoor space and a swimming pool. Beaford House - Indigo Perspective Photography
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Fashion
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Reinvented Peplum Fishtail designs Elegant adaptations of the Fishtail and Peplum designs are being introduced this year. With the trend of larger princess dresses disappearing, elegant and figure hugging dresses will be popular throughout 2014. A softer design will grace bridal wear trends with the introduction of lace detailing and softer silhouettes. With a new range of gowns by Mori Lee using Swarovski crystals and hand crafted lace detailing, new styles in both Fishtail and Peplum gowns are being reinvented as a sophisticated bridal design. Johanne at Lillybelle Bridals in Barnstaple said: “Mori Lee has been creating fabulous collections of the most popular wedding gowns in the industry at a quality that cannot be beaten. “We are proud to be a stockist of such gorgeous and elegant gowns. The Mori Lee gowns stand out with an understated elegance. They use Swarovski crystals instead of plastic imitations and beautifully hand crafted lace for a finishing touch. “At present their designs lead towards the Fishtail and Peplum style. Though these designs are edgy, soft materials and casual use of lace and crystal draw the eye to the right areas of the gown, which has made these usually sharp gowns much more elegant. “The dresses hug the figure in a way that no other design has been able to imitate, with such grace. We love them at Lilly belle Bridal and our brides are always more than happy to test this new design. 14 Love Weddings
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Fashion
“The Peplum is now our most tried gown due to its individuality and how flattering the shape is” “The Mori Lee gowns use fantastic quality materials under the outer overlay of the gown, to give the entire outfit excellent structure, to ensure that you are comfortable as well as secure on your special day.” The trend continues throughout designer collections this year including that of Justin Alexander, showcasing chic fishtail gowns with figure hugging bodices and voluminous ruffles, beaded and detailed sweetheart necklines are prominent in many collections.
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Fashion
Shapely Silhouettes A brand new range of plus size dresses are available this year, including beautiful gowns by Romantica of Devon, the Silhouette range. These exquisite dresses follow a variety of styles including beautiful lace gowns and lavish dresses with stunning beaded sweetheart necklines. Katrina at The Wedding Collection in Barnstaple said: “Romantica have created an exciting new range of plus size gowns called Silhouette, which we now have available in our store. Sumptuous satins, tulles and organzas combine with delicate embroidery to give the bride the dress of her dreams.”
Johanne at Lillybelle Bridals said:
“It doesn’t matter if you’re curvy or petite, any style will look amazing if it has the right integral lining and boning to the gown.” Sonsie gowns are made specifically for women sized UK 16+, they are available in every style to compliment the bride due to the excellent structure of the gowns. Johanne said: “We are very proud to be a Sonsie stockist. It is one of our best selling and favourite brands alongside Mori Lee and several others.”
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Fashion
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Fashion
Elegant lace & English charm Lace gowns, a trend sparked by the Royal wedding, are still very much in fashion this year for bridal wear; with vintage-inspired lace featuring heavily throughout the 2014 dress collections. Oscar de la Renta’s 2014 collection, with each detail precisely placed for an elegant wedding look, emulates the quintessential English charm, prominent in North Devon. With either a three-quarter sleeve or a full-length option, add an element of class and tradition to your dress with lace details. The Wedding Collection stocks a beautiful range of lace dresses. Katrina at The Wedding Collection said: “Lace tops are to change the look of the dress this year, with soft tulle, sequins and pearls featuring prominently in dresses. “The vintage look is not necessarily just a matter of style; it is also about the choice of fabrics and style of the embellishments that set off the look.” Carolina Herrera’s collection features lace much more evidently, with extensive lace sleeves and lace shoulder caps, this elegant style works well as a detail or as a full feature lace gown.
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Fashion
Mother of the Bride When a daughter or son gets married, it can be an overwhelming experience for the mother of the bride or groom. Often, the requirement to dress for the occasion can be a difficult task. Heidi at The Little Dress Shop in Northam said: “The mother of the bride or groom can often feel out of their comfort zone, feeling the need to look glamorous and confident when they would rather be in a more relaxed outfit. “We specialise in occasion wear, and we can help women find the exact outfit for that special occasion.
“Our colour trends this year are beautiful pastel shades of lavender, pink creams, yellows and silver these all work well with a full range of bridesmaids’ colours. “From flattering figure hugging dresses and flowing jackets to flowing floral dresses, there are styles to suit everyone. “A dress and jacket combination is the most popular style, with bags, shoes and fascinators to match. This season we are taking in a larger range with six new design labels. We also provide tops and skirts with jackets for plus size styles. Our new separate range can be mixed and matched to find a style and shape to suit everyone.”
Corsages Corsages should be offered to the mother of the bride and of the groom, and sometimes to grandmothers and sisters. Deryn Northam of Twigs Flowers in Barnstaple said: “The most popular is a delicate wired spray in a neutral colour, to include small flowers such as mini (Spray) Roses, Lisianthus and Freesia buds. “Or, ladies may choose an Orchid or Germini (mini Gerbera) or a single Rose in a bright colour. Corsages can be easily adapted for wrists with a ribbon tie or to attach to a handbag if it’s more suitable.” It is always possible to complement or co-ordinate a corsage with the outfit, however it is advisable to keep the general colour and style within the overall floral theme.
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Fashion
Menswear trends for 2014
Menswear for 2014 brings brand new trends for the groom. With popular colours for spring 2014 including greens, sky blues and yellows for waistcoats, ties and cravats. While the prominent Edwardian style suits are going out of style, Morning Tail suits are making an appearance this year. A new look for menswear in 2014 is tweed for the groom, to provide a country feel to the wedding, this is predicted to be a strong trend in North Devon. Lesley at Samuel Daw & Co menswear in Barnstaple said: “2014 is already shaping up to be a busy year for us, with Easter weekend proving to be a very popular date for weddings. We have a full stock of suits, waistcoats, ties and cravats in store. “While Edwardian style suits are leaving the trends, lounge suits appear to be having resurgence with many people deciding to take that route for their wedding day. “We traditionally see purples and silvers coming through nearer to the time of the summer weddings, and these carry through until the end of our season towards the end of September. There are a lot of enquiries for tweed suits coming in for this year.” Johanne at Lillybelle Bridals said: “Menswear is heading towards a more up to date style of suit with a classic three piece element. “Moving away from the traditional heavy tail suits and even the Edwardian style, which has been so popular for many years, men are settling more often than not on a tailored three piece suit with trimmed lapels and almost a dinner suit style.
“My personal favourite is a gorgeous navy jacket and trousers, with a matching waistcoat and smart single coloured tie to really set off the outfit” Love Weddings 21
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Fashion
Kilts
There is a unique fashion item starting a trend in menswear this year, the kilt is proving a very popular look. Lillybelle Bridals now stocks a brand new range of kilts supplied by Cameron Ross hire wear. Johanne said: “We are happy to boast a very impressive range to choose from. Our favourite at the moment is a classic black watch tartan with a prince Charlie Jacket and waistcoat; finished off with Gillie-brogues and a Sporran for the perfect Scottish finishing touch.”
Buttonholes
Rather than buying for all the guests, the majority of people these days provide buttonholes for the main wedding party. Usually this includes the groom, best man, ushers, page boys, dads and sometimes grandfathers and brothers. Deryn at Twigs Flowers said: “These days roses, germini (mini gerbera), orchids or delicate sprays of flowers and herbs are the most popular choice. “Standard carnations, which have been out of fashion for some years, are making a comeback with retro and vintage looks. In any style, you should ensure that the groom’s buttonhole is special, and complements the bridal bouquet. “A sprig of lavender, rosemary or a thistle and a twist of bear grass can make all the difference. “We have started offering clips on our buttonholes in recent years, to avoid ‘the drooping buttonhole effect’ which generally occurs when the pin isn’t pushed high enough into the neck of the flower. A clip simplifies things and essentially acts like a badge which makes it simple for your guests to put on.”
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Venues - Coastal
Choosing Flowers
for your Wedding
Finding beautiful flowers to co-ordinate with your wedding may well depend on what each season brings, alongside your decided colour scheme.
Summer: sweetpeas, scabiosa, larkspur, delphinium, nigella and cornflower.
Summer brings lots of pink, blue and lilac combinations. Very natural country garden options are popular, with added daisies (chrysanthemums, which need to be used carefully so as not to appear clumpy), ammi (cow parsley) and herbs such as rosemary. Reflecting the season in your choice of flowers can truly set the tone for your wedding, and complement We’d recommend leaving out large headed roses, which tend to work as a focal flower, and mix smaller and influence your big day. Deryn at Twigs Flowers shares her knowledge of seasonal flowers, to ensure heads if you want the ‘just picked’ look. that your wedding is filled with fresh, beautiful flora. It’s also a time to consider hotter colours such as vibrant pinks and purples, along with blues or sunny yellow combinations. Spring: tulips, narcissi, hyacinths, A very popular choice is mixing all colours togethermuscari and lily of the valley. done well, this can look amazing, but it is important Lots of fresh and fragrant bulb type flowers appear in to get the correct balance. A bouquet can look awful, the spring, which means your table decorations could particularly in photos, if not put together properly. Sunflowers are popular in late summer, alongside also reflect this. Planted terracotta pots with hessian lavender and hydrangea. Jars or jugs of flowers are ribbon ties, or jam jars filled with simple narcissi/ great for tables and have a real vintage feel. More paperwhites or tulips can look fabulous. classic arrangements in oasis can be prepared in any Soft delicate pink combinations of roses and container or vase to suit your personal taste. gorgeous peony (a florists and bridal favourite) are REMEMBER: Keep arrangements below or above eye available from April-June and stocks, ranunculus, level, very tall arrangements are only suitable for the lilac and antirrhinum (Snapdragon) also give a lovely centre of round tables. spring feel.
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Seasons : Flowers
Autumn: thistle, sedum, dahlia, lavender, hydrangea, berries, autumnal foliage. Autumn brings stronger, fiery orange, red and gold colour combinations, creating a warm and dramatic look with thistle, sedum, autumnal foliage and berries. The dahlia is making a comeback with its vivid and varied choice of colours. Plants make lovely table decorations all year round, but in late summer and autumn there is nothing nicer than simple planted pots of hydrangea or lavenderthese a great to give as gifts afterwards too.
Winter: lisianthus, veronica, skimmia, freesia, thistle, eucalyptus, avalanche roses, hydrangea. Winter weddings bring lovely selections of dark colours such as, lush reds and purples. roses, lisianthus and veronica with berries and foliage such as skimmia. The alternative ‘winter wonderland’ includes the allwhite and silvery ‘snow queen’ effect; large headed ivory avalanche roses with lisianthus, freesia, thistle and eucalyptus. White hydrangea and either red or white amaryllis are popular at christmas along with tall stems of Ilex berry. Use candles at the centre of your arrangements and ivy trails on mantels which can be interspersed with candles too. Check which venue will permit and it may be that you need to consider hurricane vases for safety, which can be surrounded by lovely winter foliage and large headed roses.
Photography: The Vintage Wedding Photographer
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Seasons : Flowers
Fifties Inspiration English country garden colours
The pastel floral shades of the English country garden continue into 2014, with a few brighter shades heating up the traditional countryside theme. Liz Goodenough of Goodenough Florists in Ilfracombe said: “The trends in flowers for next year are still very versatile, we still have a strong vintage theme coming through. “To freshen the look add a touch of mint green to give the whole look a fresh new feel, the soft mint green works well with soft coffee and cream colours.
The soft pastel colours of the English country garden look are still present and will be rejuvenated with a touch of mint green/turquoise “This will add a touch of zing to any soft pastels such as peaches and pale pinks and add a little party to the English garden look.” Alongside the traditional countryside shades, there is a wave of fifties inspiration coming to weddings this year, bringing hot coral colours, pinks and lemon shades to flowers. Liz recommends combining these hot colours with a mint green or lime, to create a vibrant “American jelly bean” look. For late summer weddings, the dahlia is a versatile and vibrant flower with a range of shapes and colours to suit any wedding. Liz said: “Dahlias can be a beautiful soft white, with petals that are almost opiate and look like magical water lilies, or wonderful soft pale pinks that are perfect for mixing with highly scented sweetpeas. “Dahlias can also appear in bright colours that look like fifties petticoats, full of texture with round tightly packed petals, these will bring fun and colour to any wedding.”
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Centrepieces Table Decorations
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When deciding on your centrepieces and table decorations, it is vital to consider the shape of your tables. Choose arrangements to suit either narrow, long or all round tables. Consider the theme for your day, and how you would like this to be carried through the venue. Deryn at Twigs Flowers offered words of advice for anything from table top arrangements to colour combinations.
Though it is good for everything to be in keeping try to avoid having anything too similar in content to the bouquets, they should complement not replicate.
“Have you worked out your budget? Once you have an idea of the amount you will need to spend on the Bridal flowers, allocate an amount for the tables. “This can be anything between £10 and £100+ per table. Most people spend in the region of £25 to £50, but if your budget doesn’t stretch to that, don’t hesitate to ask for simple ideas for less.” “A popular option is to specify the amount you wish to spend, and ask your florist to purchase as much cut flower as possible to suit your theme or look. Then you and your guests can have a bit of fun preparing your containers beforehand. “You may have collected a simple assortment of jars or bottles, or look out for old jugs or rose bowls. Whatever you choose, you don’t need any floristry skill to do this. In fact, sometimes the less the better. In doing so, you can achieve a very natural ‘just picked’ look, which really suits the current vintage style.
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Your top table arrangement is vitally important, as it sits in front of the bride and groom. It will be photographed by guests throughout the reception, and is constantly in the forefront of the speeches.
Seasons : Centrepieces & Table Decorations
Deryn said: “You can have a long and low arrangement which is very narrow, so as not to take up too much space, this usually trails over the front of the table. Alternatively, narrow painted troughs or glass oblong vases packed tightly with flower can be a cheaper option, and is very effective. “The options for flowers, colour combinations and styles are limitless – so it’s really down to you to decide what you like and don’t like. “Chat with your florist or email photos or details of any inspirations. The more information you can provide about your vision for your day, the easier it is for your florist to interpret. “Whether it’s vintage, retro, natural country, stylish contemporary, classic traditional or something completely different, the best place to start is finding someone you believe understands your ideas. “Finally, reserve your date early to avoid disappointment as most florists get booked up quickly.” REMEMBER: If your venue tells you the table decorations are included in the price, always ask for specific details.
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Seasons : Accessories
Bespoke Accessories There are endless possibilities and variations to create the perfect look for your wedding. From jewellery to hair vines, tiaras to hair pins, customised shoes to beaded bouquets, even umbrellas and guest books, coordinating your theme and decoration is important to set off your wedding day. Dreamcatcher is a small business which offers an individual service for the bride; providing bespoke jewellery for weddings and special occasions, each accessory is tailored to your requirements and budget. Kathleen at Dreamcatcher said: “Old is once again new, vintage is extended through all accessories and dresses, headwear, jewellery and themed weddings.
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“What started as a unique theme for a wedding is now incredibly popular. Though many vintage weddings are created with a big budget, our beaded bouquets start from £45.” As a small friendly family business, the team at Dreamcatcher is open to discussing accessories for all budgets. Kathleen said: “Our initial consultation is free, and we take all your wishes and dreams, and design to your specifications as well as your budget. We will do our best to source the best priced, quality materials.”Dreamcatcher also provides a wide range of pearls, in a variety of colours to suit your desired theme. Including freshwater cultured pearls with silver, gold or rose gold findings, prices start from under £20 and provide an opportunity for weddings with any budget.
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Seasons : Accessories
Custom Made
Wedding Rings
With a vast selection of wedding rings available today, it is essential that you have control over the design, metal and every aspect of the ring, as this will need to suit your personal taste completely. Catherine Bishop Jewellers in Barnstaple offers locally crafted bespoke wedding rings. Every wedding ring is personal, and this bespoke tailor-made service will help any couple to choose their perfect ring. Catherine and James have been making precious jewellery for over 30 years. Catherine said: “More and more people want the ring they wear to be different to those chosen by everyone else.
“Customers come in with just the seed of an idea which we can then transform into the ring of their dreams”
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“With our own in-house designer and our own goldsmith in house, we can make almost anything. “With most jewellers the only choice open to couples is to choose a ring from a display. The ring will usually be made abroad and those who are going to wear it will have no input into its design.” Diamonds set in palladium are Catherine Bishop’s most sought-after combination. Catherine said: “One of the biggest problems faced by brides when choosing a ring is the discovery that the wedding band that appeals most to them will not fit flush with their engagement ring. Our answer is to tailor the wedding band individually either by hand or with the new computer design service, to make a perfect fit with a bride-to-be’s individual engagement ring.”
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Choosing your
Wedding Ring
Choosing your wedding ring is a big decision, it is crucial to consider a style and cut that you love. With a vast array of sparkling diamonds and sleek wedding bands to choose from, Coopers Jewellers in Barnstaple has provided these useful guidelines to selecting your perfect wedding ring. Choosing the metal Consider when and where your ring is going to be worn when choosing your metal, as some precious metals are more hard-wearing than others, with platinum being the strongest, but also rarest, precious metal.
Palladium has grown in popularity since receiving precious metal status in 2010.
…be it 9ct or 18ct white or yellow gold. Platinum and palladium can be worn together as they are similar in strength, with the choice in Palladium rings increasing constantly.
Customising your rings The traditional plain wedding band can also be adapted to include a distinctive pattern or even diamonds.
You could add a vintage-style mill grain edge to your rings, a modern groove, a satin finish, or add single or even multiple diamonds to create the ring of your dreams. All of this can be done using our own software Another pure white metal, this is now approximately which gives you the opportunity to see any design in half the price of Platinum and is a firm choice for those our collection of over 1000 engagement, wedding and seeking a hard-wearing ring. eternity ring designs and combinations. White gold is graded in different grades of whiteness, with the grade determining how quickly or extensively Rings for the groom The selection of rings designed specifically for grooms the metal will lose its bright white colour. has grown as the number of men choosing to wear Ensuring that the metal of the engagement and wedding rings has increased over time. wedding ring matches is very important, as over This also provides ample choice when it comes to the years different metals worn together can cause design, style and metal. Modern designs such as flat damage and wear to the softer metal, meaning that in court profiles with satin finishes or grooved patterns time, the damaged ring will need to be replaced. are popular with men who prefer a unique style, and metal choices such as 9ct gold and palladium give the rings extra strength and minimise wear. Always match the carat of gold
of the engagement and wedding ring...
Bridal suites At Coopers Couture you will find a beautiful collection of bridal suites, featuring perfectly matching engagement, wedding and eternity rings designed to be worn together. These have the benefit of matching profiles and metals, minimising wear, and ensuring perfect proportions.
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Seasons : Entertainment
A photo booth, with a twist
Alfie the Black Cab Booth is an old London taxi which has been lovingly converted into a photo booth, with a host of props to create a unique and special photo experience. Run by Alice and Alexa, Alfie provides a fun environment for your wedding guests to document the night. Having recently been announced the Regional Winner in the Best Non Musical Entertainment category in The Wedding Industry Awards 2014, Alfie the Black Cab Booth is a sure way to guarantee a lively and interactive experience at your wedding, all the while producing a unique guestbook for your day. alfietheblackcabbooth.co.uk
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Sue’s of Combe Martin offers an exceptional range of fireworks to light up the sky and celebrate your big day. With a variation of personalised packages available, Sue and her dedicated team are devoted to helping you create your perfect day. There is a vast array of beautiful fireworks available to purchase, for any budget from £5 to £100, to make your day truly special. Sue said: “We have been established for 42 years now, and we pride ourselves on offering fantastic customer service. “Please pop by and let us know what you would like for your wedding, and we will work hard to create a personalised selection of fireworks to suit your day.”
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Seasons : Transport
Arriving in Spring Vintage bus, Ferrari, convertible cars
Summer Vintage bus, VW campervan, Harley Davidson, convertible cars, horse and carriage
Autumn Bus, vintage bus, classic Bentley, London taxi
Winter Rolls Royce, Austin princess, Jaguar, Limousine, Mercedes Benz, Chrysler, horse and carriage
Style
There are plenty of unique options for transport to get you to your ceremony, but make sure you consider both style and practicality. With each season’s varied weather, make sure you’re not riding on a Harley Davidson in the rain, or cooped up in a Chrysler on a hot summer’s day. The options are endless; why not consider something special such as a vintage bus or a VW campervan to set off in style? Alongside classic cars such as the Bentley, Jaguar or a super speed Ferrari, think about what you want for your wedding, keep it personal and continue in style on your perfect day. Country folk may prefer a classic car, or go all out and arrive in a tractor. Coast lovers may prefer an open top car to enjoy the views, or a campervan to continue in a surf style tradition. Photography: Julie Wicks Photography
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Vintage
all things
Vintage
With vintage glamour remaining a strong trend in weddings in a range of accessories and dresses, setting a themed wedding for true vintage enthusiasts can involve much more than just teacups and tea lights. Beautiful Vintage in Ilfracombe is a unique boutique of accessories and dresses, to help you create the perfect vintage wedding. Carol and Pauline, wedding consultants at Beautiful Vintage said: “The shop was formed because there is still a small army of people who love clothing made with quality, and that has a soul. “Everything you see in our shop has been handpicked for its quality and character.” Through browsing the beautiful items available at the shop, it is evident that for brides seeking unique vintage accessories, this is the place. Carol and Pauline said: “We say no to characterless
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clothing and accessories and yes to a day when people had style, and when clothing was very often handmade and lovingly designed. “We also understand that ladies sizes have changed over time, so we endeavour to source larger sizes as well as petite.” Beautiful Vintage also supplies handmade glass jewellery and vintage pieces, which range from the 1900’s and accessories including Beautiful Vintage Originals, 1950’s inspired reproduction evening bags and shoe clips. A range of stunning vintage dresses are also available. At Beautiful Vintage, wedding consultants Pauline and Carol can walk you through many aspects of your vintage wedding from your hair styling with BAFTA award winning TV stylist Joan, and leading Scottish makeup artist Pauline. A tailor is also on hand to make sure each item fits perfectly, including tailor made gloves and dresses, alongside an exceptional range of veils and dresses for your guests; each piece is rare and unique.
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Photographers’ Gallery
Choosing a photographer for your big day Alice Deuchar, The Vintage Wedding Photographer, is an experienced wedding photographer working in Devon, Cornwall, Bristol and across the South West. Exclusively for Love Weddings, Alice reveals her top tips for selecting a photographer for your big day. Meet your wedding photographer; choose someone with a beautiful portfolio but also someone who you can imagine having at your wedding. Brides have often told me that it was lovely to have someone there who felt like a good friend to help them relax. Make sure your photographer can blend in to get lovely candid shots. Check the hidden costs; some photographers may appear cheaper than others but they could add additional charges afterwards with extra costs for a disc with watermark free images, or charging extra for digital downloads from their website. Include formal shots; despite being a reportage photographer, I would always recommend formal shots too to please the more traditional members of the family.
A good photographer can get through the shots very quickly and having a designated person who knows exactly who everyone is really helps to speed things up, don’t have more than 8-10 to keep variation in your photos.
Check if the photos will be published on social media; some people are happy with this, but I feel that it steals the magic away from the bride and groom if photos are published before they return from their honeymoon. Discuss your dream shots; if you see a shot that you would love your photographer to re-create, do show it to them. Within reason (and weather permitting!) they should be open to your suggestion & ideas. I encourage my brides and grooms to do a Pinterest page and send me a link so I can get an idea of what they have in mind. Ask about overtime; I have heard horror stories of photographers almost interrupting the first dance to tell the bride and groom that they are now in overtime if things have overrun. Go with your gut instinct; the happier you feel around your photographer the more natural your photographs will be. If you are very nervous about being in front of the camera consider booking an engagement shoot with them as a rehearsal.
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Photographers Gallery
Photographers’
gallery
It is without a doubt that North Devon boasts an extraordinary selection of back-drops for your wedding, so choosing a photographer to capture these special moments is an important decision. The Photographers Gallery provides a selection of photos from photographers based in the Devon area, to provide an insight into the outstanding work and fun that can be had documenting your big day. Each photographer has developed a unique style to document weddings, so take this into consideration when choosing your photographer. Photos : Indigo Perspective Photography
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Urban Fox Photography
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24/01/2014 08:54:20
Food
Cakes From traditional fruit cakes, to stacks of French cheeses, cupcake towers to painted icing, the wedding cake has never been more versatile. The key to wedding cake bliss is to choose something personal. If you are struggling with ideas, try and think of the simple designs and colours that appeal to you. Bakeries and cake shops can design anything you wish for, so don’t be afraid to venture out with a big idea! We are in the age of divine cheeses, if you rather savoury than sweet, why not serve up a delicious array of cheese for your guests? A quirky alternative may be just what you are looking for if a traditional white floral cake doesn’t appeal to you. Claire Potts from Claire’s Sweet Temptations provided these key tips on achieving your perfect wedding cake. These days the sky is almost literally the limit when it comes to your wedding cake. However there are a few things to think about.
Flavours Keep it simple, that way no one will have any complaints. At a wedding there is such a wide demographic to try and please.
Style Here you can go as wild or as simple as you like! A tower of cupcakes is very popular, and looks stunning.
A new trend is hand painted cakes- a fondant covered cake painted with a subject to reflect you.
Keep it personal With modern fondants you can have any colour you wish, and tie your cake into your colour scheme. Make a statement with your cake, have it reflect your style and tastes, maybe a nod towards a hobby or job. Remember: it’s your wedding, so have whatever you’ve always dreamed of. Photo: Indigo Perspective Photograghy
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Food
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Sweet treats
Food
Why not sweeten up your big day with a magnificent sweet buffet? From classic old candies to adorable sweet trees, treat your guests to some delicious confectionary at your reception.
Providing a range of tailor-made services specifically for weddings and special celebrations, Minxy’s Sweets offers a delicious array of sweet buffet treats for your wedding. Trevor of Minxy’s Sweets said: “Operating from our traditional style sweet shop in Butchers Row, Bideford, we offer a range of bespoke services. “We can provide the perfect sweet table buffet designed specifically around your requirements. You can choose sweets from our extensive range or we can select them for you. “If we do not carry the sweets you require, where possible, we will source them for you.” With all sweet buffets decorated to complement your individual theme or colour scheme, Minxy’s sweets are offering a truly personal service with a range of beautiful traditional sweets. You can even hire one of the two Victorian style sweet carts to display your buffet, Minxy’s also carry a traditional style wooden Ferris wheel that can be used with the sweet carts, or hired separately. Sweet Trees are also available in any size or colour with any sweet you desire. Wedding Favours are also available, customised to suit you theme. Trevor said: “Please remember, whether it’s classy or quirky, it is your wedding and our aim is to provide a service to complement your requirements, and make your day as beautiful as possible.”
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Food
HOG
roast
For a traditional, rural reception dinner, a delicious hog roast may just be the perfect choice. North Devon Hog Roasts is a family-run business, following traditional hog roasting methods since 1947, cooking over Oak and Ash fires for an exceptional taste. Using high quality, locally-sourced produce from within North Devon for over 67 years, North Devon Hog Roast is a delicious and traditional option for your wedding reception dinner. Matt Cook said: “It all began in the late 40s just after the end of the war, when my grandfather Albert Cook used a wooden spit over an ash log fire to cook one of his Devon Close wool lambs for Chittlehampton young farmers club.” Grandad and Gran (Ruth Cook) carried on hog roasting through to the late 90s roasting everything from lambs at village fetes to bullocks on Croyde beach and even at the age of 89, he still helps me out when I am busy.” “To date we have cooked pigs, lambs red deer, roe deer and wild boar, from the deepest valleys
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of Dartmoor to the highest hills of Exmoor and from the beaches of North Devon, through to VIP events in London.” No matter where you decide to host your wedding, a hog roast is a versatile option for your reception dinner in North Devon.
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10
Top
tips for your wedding hair
After deciding on your dress, your hair should be considered of equal importance for your big day. With many aspects including hair accessories, style and shape, Gill from Sophisticut in Barnstaple shares her advice for brides on preparing your hair for your wedding day.
1. Start getting your hair in optimum condition at least three months in advance. 2. Think about how to wear your hair in plenty of time, it deserves to be given as much thought as your dress. 3. Get a friend to take photos of you in your dress, front and back, and show these to your hairdressers, it can help your decision. 4. If you are planning on an up-do, wash
your hair the night before, as freshly washed hair is very silky and often too slippery to hold a style effectively.
5. Allow time for practice sessions. 6. Be flexible with ideas- your stylist may see something you haven’t thought about to suit you. 7. Take advice from two people you trust the most; too many opinions can be confusing.
8. Take any hair accessories and veil to any practice sessions where possible. Clip in weaves can be fantastic.
9. It is important to trust and have a good rapport with your stylist.
10. It pays to be realistic with what your hair will do and also consider how it behaves humidity has a great deal to answer to!
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Middle photo: Indigo Perspective Photograghy
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5
Top
beauty tips for brides
Among arranging all of the table decorations, invitations and dress alterations, remember to make time for you when preparing for your wedding.
With endless beauty treatments available to make you feel rejuvenated and refreshed for your big day, from manicures to bridal makeup, these top tips will help you transform into a blushing bride. Hannah and Michaela at Golds Beauty Salon in Barnstaple shared their top beauty tips.
1. Preparation- Book in your bridal make up for yourself, your mother and your bridesmaids for your wedding day as soon as possible, to guarantee the date. 2. Trial- arrange a make-up trial for yourself only, for approximately six weeks before the wedding. 3. Beautiful skin- for glowing skin on your wedding day, book a course of monthly facials for three to six months before the wedding. 4. Natural nails- for gorgeous natural
nails and smooth hands, book a course of manicures three months before your big day.
5. Balance- eating a healthy balanced diet and drinking your recommended amount of two litres of water per day will definitely help your skin and nails to be at their best for your wedding
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Health, Beauty & Fitness
beautiful Look and feel
Your wedding day is one of the biggest events in your life; it is also a time when all eyes are on the bride.
Extensive planning for your big day can contribute to stress and anxiety, as naturally you want your day to be perfect. Rising stress levels alongside all the excitement and heightened emotions can trigger your body into a state of unbalance, resulting in spots and dark circles under the eyes. It is easy to stop eating properly and find the energy to de-stress. Jessica Palmer-Christie from Fabodies shares her tips on detoxing, skin products and the ultimate weight loss tips for your wedding day.
Toxins Many ingredients in fat free foods, quick dinners, skincare and simple every day drinks including squash and coffee are loaded with hidden toxins; these can affect your skin, weight and general wellness. Some researchers say that some preservatives disrupt our hormones, other ingredients could be carcinogenic and others are neurotoxins (bad for our brains!) and skin irritants.
Weight loss Many women often try to lose weight but never lose a pound, or diet, lose weight, only to gain it right back again. Sound familiar? The reason for this is because we don’t reduce our toxic load first. If you want to get in good shape, look good and feel amazing for your wedding, it is best to start by detoxing the body first. This means eliminating a lot of foods you may have grown accustomed too. It’s not what you eat, but rather what you absorb. We need to have a healthy functioning gut in order to be able to absorb all the vitamins and minerals from our food. So improving our digestion is key.
Knowledge is vital for getting into shape, so having a health coach is great. They can advise on the right foods, drinks and supplements.
Support your immune System
We need to support our liver, because it’s vital to our immune system. If it is over-burdened, one of the first places this appears is on your skin through rashes or acne. Arbonne, a leading health and wellness company have a range of Swiss formulated vegan, gluten free and preservative free nutritional aids to help support organs such as the liver, and specifically a detox program that is recommended by health and wellness coaches around the globe. Once a detox has been established and you’re on the road to feeling good, which may mean you feel worse before you feel better, it is important to continue eating optimally, not just healthily if you want to carry on losing weight and have glowing skin and energy for your wedding day.
Meal plans Always plan a menu at the beginning of each week, leaving four to six hours between each meal, with healthy snacks in between if needed. When blood sugar levels are out of balance we crave sugar, which in turn means we become a victim of the plummeting and soaring energy levels, fat storage and skin problems. Protein helps to slow the release of sugar into the blood stream from a meal, but try and make sure it is vegan, which is non-toxic to the digestive tract. Try and make sure food is always real, no ready-made meals with hidden ingredients, make a load up on the night before or on a Sunday for the week, and be sure to drink plenty of herbal teas and water.
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A natural glow The most damaging way toxins enter our bodies is through the products we use on our skin. This is because anything we put onto our skin is going directly into our bloodstream, before it goes to our detoxifying organs. Be careful of what goes on your skin. When choosing skin care, make sure you educate yourself about the ingredients and who regulates it.
Hopefully you can now see the direct correlation between all three areas- Beauty, Healthy and Fitness. By integrating all, you will see faster and more noticeable results, as well as feeling positive and generally happier. Fabodies offers health, beauty and fitness coaching all in one, working with the individual to deliver a bespoke package for the bride to be.
Try before you buy brands and companies offering a 45 day money back guarantee that are pure, vegan and beneficial, are always a safe bet. A consultant or health and beauty coach will often know more than shop assistants, and will help you to choose the right products for your skin type.
Make-up Save money by buying your make up for your wedding day, and continue using it for months afterwards. Again, finding a pure, safe and beneficial range is key, as well as getting the results you desire.
Exercise Getting into shape and detoxing the body quickly is always well supported by exercise, but most of the time a fast busy life means little time. The fastest way to get fit, lose weight and tone up is to do short bursts of high intensity exercise every other day, such as Tabata or HIIT classes, which last no longer than 30 minutes. Though they are hard, you will see fast results.
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Bridesmaids
Bridesmaids Bridesmaid’s dresses for 2014 bring pastel shades, complementing a popular colour scheme amongst accessories, flowers and centrepieces. Colours including soft pinks and baby blues will be increasingly popular this year, supporting many of the vintage and English country garden themes which are also prominent.
Katrina at The Wedding Collection said: “Alongside pastel colours which will be more evident this year, rainbow colours for bridesmaids are being asked for more frequently.
Johanne at the Lillybelle Bridal said: “The bridesmaids dresses can come in every shape, style and colour one can imagine. The most popular for us for the coming season is single shoulder or sweetheart neckline, in chiffon fabric floor length gowns.
“Chiffon is definitely a favourite material; brides are often taken by this fabric for the soft flowing look to complement their bridal gown.”
“We are seeing a lot of mint, mocha and blush pinks arriving in our colour ranges which are timeless shades” It’s always a good thing when you look back on the photographs in years to come!” Julie Wicks Photography
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Maid of Honour & The Hen Do
&
Maid of The Honour HenDo The maid of honour will hold many duties both before and during the ceremony, to make sure that the bride is comfortable and relaxed throughout the day.
Before the wedding,
During the ceremony,
the maid of honour’s roles include:
the maid of honour will:
Organising the hen party
Hold the bride’s bouquet
Helping the bride find her perfect dress and party outfit
Coordinate the bridesmaids
Buying the gift for the bride from the bridesmaids
Stand next to the bride, and looks after the ring if necessary
Assisting the bride’s mother with last minute
Adjust the veil if required
preparations
Helping the bride getting in and out of the wedding car- particularly taking care of the dress and veil
Collect the gifts Help the bride change into her party outfit
The hen do is a night for the bridal party to let their hair down, have a laugh and spend an evening stress-free. Planning a wedding can be hactic, so take this time to enjoy yourself! A hen do doesn’t have to be just a night out on the town; there are plenty of activities to suit any hen party. Why not try creating your own cocktails? Not only is this a fantastic skill to learn, you are guaranteed to have some laughs along the way and enjoy some delicious drinks, (there’s always time to go out afterwards too!) For the more outdoorsy brides and bridesmaids, try an action packed activity such as paintballing or clay pigeon shooting. No one said you had to wear pink and drink champagne!
Photograph : The Vintage Wedding Photographer
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Maid of Honour & The Hen Do
Hen Night Heaven For an indulgent hen do, treat yourselves to an afternoon of spa treatments. A relaxing and invigorating hen do might be just what the bridal party needs, among the stresses of wedding invitations and flower arrangements. Hartland House Spa and Cottages provides a sophisticated and relaxed venue for a tranquil Hen night. With the option to hire a cottage, fill it with your closest friends and have a truly relaxing spa weekend away, and just a mile from the stunning Hartland coastline, this is the perfect setting for a girly break. The 5* luxury holiday cottages sleep from four people up to the large farmhouse which sleeps up to 16 people. Combine a spot of surfing with a pampering treatment at the onsite
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spa with the Spa and Surf Package, then feel free to put on your party dress, hire a mini bus and sample the local nightlife. Or, stays snuggled up in your cottage getaway and hire a caterer to cook up a feast for you without having to leave the door. If you are unable to stay for the whole weekend, Hartland House Spa also offers a range of different Spa Day and Spa Afternoon packages, perfect for pampering a hen party.
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Best Man & Stag Do
The Best Man and the Stag Do
It is the best man’s duty to make sure that: things run smoothly, the groom doesn’t panic and ultimately, to organise a great stag do. Here are a few simple rules to make sure the stag do doesn’t end in tears, or injuries.
Stag Do’s and Don’ts:
On the day:
DO plan a lads night, this is the ideal opportunity to spend some quality time together
Keep the rings safe
DON’T send the groom on a drunken adventure to the other side of the country
Organise the groomsmen – make sure everyone knows what they’re doing and when
DO share amusing anecdotes about the groom
Deliver a lovely speech, with fond memories of the couple and appropriate anecdotes about their relationship
DON’T organise the stag do the night before the wedding if you plan on drinking
Get the groom to the church/venue on time
The Vintage Wedding Photographer
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Real Life Love
&
Andrew Katie St Brannocks Church of England on 22 September 2012. Local singer Katie Cotton talks about her relaxed wedding day in Georgeham, when she married surfer Andrew in 2012. Andrew proposed to me early one morning while we were going for a walk on Baggy Point. It was about 6 in the morning in August, pouring with rain, and he got down on one knee right on the highest part of the cliff amidst the sheep poo! At this point all we knew was that we didn’t want the planning to be stressful or serious as we didn’t want it to be an overly formal wedding. We wanted a fun celebration with as many of our friends and family as possible. Our friends Matt Knight and his wife local artist Suzanne Hobbs were inconceivably generous by allowing us to use their beautiful farm courtyard 56 Love Weddings
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Real Weddings : Andrew & Kate Cotton
and barns for our wedding. The space has so much character and we transformed the courtyard ourselves into a party and banquet area with the help of our friends and family. Matt and Suzanne, party people to the core, had already held a few parties there and had all the electricity in place, and even a stage for the bands! Matt showed us how to attach a tarpaulin roof to the beams, in case of rain. I love vibrant colour so we went crazy with the flowers (tulips and gladioli in pink, red, orange, coral, yellow and purple plus sunflowers as well) and we hung metres of fairy lights and bunting to transform the space. My bridesmaids were utterly fabulous and spent hours and hours helping put everything together, including making all of the invites by hand. We had sparkly red heart candles on the tables, and sequin heart photo frames with photos of all of our friends and family. We used long wooden banquet tables and benches for the meal, and we managed to squeeze about 140 people in for the celebration dinner. It was great fun; we just wanted a relaxed happy atmosphere with delicious food and great music!
Our friend Josh kindly drove the ten gorgeous bridesmaids to the church in his surf school minibus and local guy Ed Short kindly drove me Andrew and the kiddies around in his stretch soft top VW Beetle which was a very jazzy touch! We were so lucky with amazing weather for a September wedding; it was a bright warm sunny day. Phew! I didn’t have very long to organise my dress, as I’d just had a baby in April, but I found one I liked in the sale about six weeks before the wedding, but it was two sizes too big, so local wedding dress maker Caroline Fricker made the alterations and added a few finishing touches. After browsing through local shops for my dress, I had found the one for me in The Wedding Dress Company in Plympton, which was a charming coincidence as that’s a small town where my dad grew up, near Plymouth. Local hairdresser Charlotte Shirley did my hair for me, I chose a side bun with huge colourful roses all around it and she worked her magic on the bridesmaids too putting matching flowers in Honey’s hair. Andrew wore a smashing shiny brown suit with a Love Weddings 57
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Real Life Love leopard print shirt, and the boys wore zebra print shirts with bright red and pink ties, they looked very swish and dashing! For the reception dinner, our good friend Tony Wright from Braunton catered the wedding with a mix of international foods including Moroccan and Turkish and other Middle Eastern dishes. It was a delicious mixture of vegetarian and meat dishes, absolutely gorgeous, and he had many compliments that day! Andrew and I chose chocolate brownies and Eton mess for desert. Naughty! My sister in law Shelley made the cake; it was a three-tiered heart shape strawberry and cream sponge cake with giant strawberries, clever lady! At the ceremony, during the signing of the register my sister Sophie sang two songs, (bringing many tears to eyes,) one song she written herself and another of our choosing, and our function band, Soul Agency accompanied her. We wanted the service to be as much of a knees-up as the evening do, so we had Soul agency playing One Love by Bob Marley, and some upbeat gospel songs instead of traditional hymns. Everyone had a good sing. We had three great bands playing at the reception and a DJ; and these were all close friends of ours and even my hilarious Dad performed especially for our big day! We had a Caribbean themed bar and a cocktail bar in the barns and a lounge area too with lamps and sofas. We told our guests to wear something comfortable that they could dance in and something warm for partying into the night! The White Lion Choir performed before the ceremony as people were taking their seats in the church. Then there was a trumpet fanfare, and just before I walked up the aisle I had a section of the Jaws theme (as Andrew knows I am a bit obsessed with sharks). My entry music was Adiemus, an uplifting and dramatic vocal piece. The reading in the church was a warm and funny story read by
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my stunning bridesmaid Rachel Turner, who had taken a humorous love story and altered it to make it personal to Andrew and me.
The little things... It was just amazing to have our children at our wedding. Our daughter Honey was a bridesmaid, which was such a special touch. Ace was very well behaved (actually asleep) through the service. The vicar was a dear friend Geoff Phillips, who dedicated a special section of the ceremony to giving our daughter Honey an eternity ring. We had three best men at the wedding who gave a speech that was more than just a little over the line, but it was to be expected and very funny. Photographer: Ben Selway - Benselwayphotography.co.uk Cake: three-tiered heart shape strawberry and cream sponge cake with giant strawberries, made by Katie’s sister-in-law Shelley Catering: Middle Eastern food by Tony Wright in Braunton Entertainment: Music by Soul Agency and the White Lion choir Dress: The Wedding Company in Plympton, alterations by Caroline Fricker Suits: Zara Transport: Stretch soft top VW beetle Venue: St Brannocks Church of England, reception at a friend’s Barn Colour scheme: All things bright Flowers: roses, gladoli and sunflowers
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Real Weddings : Claire & Jon
&
Jon Claire St George’s Church, Georgeham & Saunton Sands Hotel 26 October 2013 Claire and Jon Wilkinson fell hopelessly in love just one year before their wedding. With strong connections to the North Devon coast, they decided to celebrate their wedding by the beautiful Saunton beach. Claire tells us about her big day, when she married Jon in October last year. Everything about the wedding was surreal, it was a beautiful ceremony. The highlight of the wedding for me, was of course marrying Jon. We got engaged in March last year, and planning the wedding was just so much fun and not stressful at all as we expected! We didn’t argue, in fact we never argue, and people always tell you that planning a wedding can be incredibly stressful, but once we got to plan our own, everything was thoroughly enjoyable. We’re both 30, we met and got engaged very quickly. But when you know, you know. We couldn’t have been more perfect for each other. Love Weddings 59
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Real Life Love Both Jon and I have always been into surfing, we absolutely adore North Devon and Croyde especially, so we decided that this would be the perfect setting for our wedding. We’ve been visiting North Devon together since we met, and we’ve both fallen in love with it even more. We have always been overwhelmed by people’s generosity and kindness in Devon. On the day, we didn’t have the best weather! It was the day before a huge storm was set to land, so I’m surprised you can’t see how messy our hair was in the photos! I thought I would always worry on the day, what if it rains? Or what if we forget something? But on the day nothing else matters. I arrived in a 1965 VW campervan named Barbarossa, which was absolutely amazing, and completely suited the theme of our day, a beach wedding. Our friend drove the campervan for us throughout the day. As I am a design teacher, we made most of the table decorations and smaller details ourselves. Jon and I created little surfboards for the table names and we made a little beach hut for the cards. The speeches were absolutely beautiful, my dad, Jon and Jon’s best man (his brother) all gave lovely heartfelt speeches. The band at the reception, Shine On, was absolutely fantastic. Everyone had a really good time and partied all night, even our photographer, Vicki, stayed after her hours to watch the band! It was brilliant. Saunton Sands Hotel provided guests with champagne on arrival, and a gorgeous evening buffet. The staff really looked after us and made sure everything was organised, and the venue looked beautiful. A word from the groom: “I stayed at Croyde Baggy Point Studio the night before the wedding, and they
were just overwhelmingly generous and welcoming. On the morning of the wedding I sent Claire a few little gifts, these things really made the day special. If I could give any advice for planning your wedding, it would be to make your own stuff! It’s a lot of fun, and you can spend so much time together planning the smaller details.”
The little things... Three of my pupils asked if they could sing at my wedding, so they travelled to North Devon with us! It was just lovely. We went to have our photos taken on the beach just the two of us, which was a great moment to finally be married and spend a few moments alone. One of my pupils also made our VW campervan wedding cake! She is very talented. Photographer: Photography by Vicki www.photographybyvicki.co.uk/blog Cake: VW Campervan cake made by one of Claire’s pupils at school Catering: Saunton Sands Hotel Entertainment: Shine On wedding band Dress: Sassi Holford design, second hand dress from ‘Brides Dress Revisited’ Otford, Kent. Suits : Simon James menswear, Woking. Transport: VW 1965 campervan named Barbarossa. O’ Connor Campers. Venue: St George’s church, Georgeham, Devon, followed by Saunton Sands Hotel. Colour scheme: Purple Bridesmaid’s dresses: The Dessy Collection- Vivian Diamond Flowers: Moor Lane nursery, Braunton. Bouquets and table centrepieces: Saunton Sands Hotel (Penny). Most decorations were handmade by the bride and groom.
60 Love Weddings
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24/01/2014 09:16:55
Real Life Love
&
Karl Ruth
The first wedding at The Sunset Rooms at Ocean Kave 23rd December 2013
Karl and Ruth Rudolf decided to dive into an Ocean Kave wedding, planning the entire event from their home in Switzerland. Karl’s family live in Cornwall, and Ruth is from South Wales, as such the whole wedding was planned with the help of their UK based family members, and the trusted dedicated wedding planners at Ocean Kave. The couple wanted a small, relaxed wedding with a maximum of 50 people, and wanted to hold their ceremony, reception and evening celebration at Ocean Kave.
Having been mesmerized by photos of The Kave ceremony room and hearing of the plans for The Sunset Rooms, Ruth and Karl knew that Ocean Kave was their dream venue, and confirmed their booking knowing that the vision stylish and contemporary vision for The Sunset Rooms, with breath taking views of the Atlantic Ocean was exactly the place they were looking for to celebrate their love with friends and family. Claire Soffe at Ocean Kave assisted in planning their special day. She said: “Working with Karl and Ruth was a great experience, Switzerland is not that far away in the bigger scheme of things, our clients from Australia and Japan are also great to work with and our wedding planning team are now used to flexible working hours! “We are fortunate to work with many couples from around the globe looking for a unique and bespoke coastal wedding venue; we have invested heavily into our digital marketing and communications infrastructure at Ocean Kave which means we are easily contactable and able to offer our clients a Love Weddings 61
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Real Life Love personal touch regardless of their location. Many busy couples choose to Skype or face time with our planning team, which keeps both them and us focused on their evolving wedding plans. It’s really important for our clients that we assist them as much as we possibly can to ensure that their wedding is a seamless, hassle free and above all an enjoyable experience for them both.” The wedding featured personal details throughout to make the day special, for decorations each table had a flag representing the couple’s favourite places in Switzerland. Ruth arranged her own centrepieces for the tables, which were goldfish bowls filled with water and large clear glass pebbles, alongside vintage tea light holders. The festive theme extended throughout the décor and reception, and as Karl quoted at the time of booking: “My surname is Rudolf, which originates from Murten, Switzerland, so a Rudolf Christmas wedding, I suppose, was meant to be!” Little reindeer decorations appeared throughout the event, such as name cards with small silver reindeer printed on them and illuminated reindeer sculptures. Dream Wedding Makers decorated the banqueting chairs for Karl and Ruth’s reception with a bespoke silver glittery hood and white silk sash, and in the Kave for the ceremony, little glass jars that Ruth had collected were filled with Gypsophila (Baby’s Breath) flowers which adorned the aisle seats. After the ceremony in Ocean Kave, little cones of dried rose petal confetti were handed out alongside reindeer shaped hand warmers for the guests. The chefs at Ocean Kave catered the event, and included local produce with a Swiss twist to personalise the menu for the couple. Ruth and Karl opted for a wedding breakfast and light evening menu, requesting “warming, filling, comfort food” to complement their festive winter wedding.
Claire said: “We are fortunate in North Devon to be surrounded by excellent award winning local food suppliers, Ruth and Karl’s vision was to create a fusion of Swiss and local cuisine, after a private consultation with our chefs a delicious 3 course bespoke menu was created, including fondue with Swiss and Parkham Farm cheeses, delicious Woolsery lamb and an evening buffet featuring handmade Westward Ho! Devon pasties.” Alongside a spread of Swiss influenced food, Karl and Ruth enjoyed a selection of Swiss and local ales and champagnes including a signature welcome drink, Gluhwein, which was served in traditional blue mugs. The first wedding at Ocean Kave’s brand new Sunset Rooms was a complete success, despite the heavy rain Ruth and Karl had a wonderful day and the weather didn’t affect them at all: “We had a fantastic day, regardless of the weather.” Photographer: Michael Marker Photography Cake: Three-tiered traditional white cake, made by a family member Catering: By chefs at Ocean Kave, locally sourced menu with a Swiss twist Entertainment: Own music through sound system in The Sunset Rooms, playlist organised by the Best Man Dress: 50s style dress with a birdcage veil Venue: Ocean Kave & The Sunset Rooms Colour scheme: Silver glittery theme with vintage elements Flowers: Blooms of Bideford Bouquet: Gypsophila (Baby’s Breath) bouquet Hair: Colorseum Hair in Bideford Bridesmaids: Mauve dresses worn by bridesmaids Ruth and Karl’s sisters
62 Love Weddings
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24/01/2014 09:18:56
Real Weddings : Daniel & Jodie
Daniel Jodie
&
Ceremony and reception at Northcote Manor, Umberleigh. Daniel and Jodie were eager to marry in a rural location, due to their attachment to the Devon countryside. Following a proposal in New York, the couple decided to continue in a New York theme for their big day. “Living in Devon we were both keen to marry in a beautiful rural location and Northcote Manor was perfect. With its rolling hillside and landscapes adorned with spring flowers the setting was beautiful. I remember waking up on the morning of our New York-themed wedding with the sunshine beaming through the window, filled with excitement. Love Weddings 63
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24/01/2014 09:20:27
Real Life Love
What was wonderful was that our guests were able to stay at Northcote Manor with us, so on the morning of the wedding I joined all the ladies for breakfast and champagne while the men went shooting with the groom. I wanted my dress to have elegance with details of lace and pearl to accentuate the pearl necklace I wore, borrowed from Daniel’s grandmother, Jean. I knew my dress was the one as I felt filled with emotion when I tried it on. In keeping with tradition, I had a long veil scattered with pearls and wore my blusher down as I entered the ceremony. It was a beautiful moment as Daniel lovingly lifted it from my face. We wrote down our vows so that they were very personal to us and reflected the promises that we wanted to make to one another. I remember feeling nervous but trying to savour every moment. Our tables were dressed with name places made of slate sourced from my in-laws’ farmhouse.”
The little things...
Photographer: Nina Wickmann (www.ninaportrait.com) Cake: Alice Loves Cake, Torrington
We chose lily of the valley for my bouquet and Daniel’s buttonhole in memory of my late mother, Dawn, as it was her favourite flower.
Entertainment: Ten Feet Tall, Torrington
For our favours Daniel and I had been making sloe gin for the ladies and sloe brandy for the boys in the six months leading up to the wedding
Venue: Northcote Manor
Dress: Frilly Frocks, Barnstaple Suit: Samuel Dawes Hire, Barnstaple Make-Up: Julie Mobile Beauty, Barnstaple Theme: New York Bridesmaid’s dresses: Frilly Frocks, Barnstaple Flowers: Flowers by Louise, Barnstaple
64 Love Weddings
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24/01/2014 09:21:20
Notes
Notes...
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24/01/2014 09:28:41
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