Vow Magazine – Issue 15

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VOW per fe c t f o r yo u O C TO B ER & N OV E M B ER 2 0 17

M AG A ZINE IT STARTS WITH A QUESTION…

Perfect for you

OCTOBER & NOVEMBER 2017 / Bath, Bristol & the West / No.15

THE PROPOSAL EDITOR'S LETTER

PICTURE BY SHROPSHIRE PETALS

NOT JUST ANYBODY What do you think when you’re asked to help at a friend’s wedding? Do you think woo-hoo, brilliant, or do you quietly dread it – perhaps even start making excuses, working out your own Great Escape? Some roles are more demanding than others, of course, and we can all see the particular potential horrors in being best man or best woman. For a start, there’s more than a chance you might have to do a spot of public speaking – something most of us fear more than death (or commitment) itself.

And even as one of a half dozen or so bridesmaids, there are pitfalls to negotiate: the herding cats that can be the average hen do, say, and an expectation that you’ll help with all the planning, organising, and decorating-white-limos-in-flowers that rarely takes into account your already busy life.

Sometimes, of course, our job as support network involves not doing anything very

much, but simply being someone for her to talk to: there are bound to be problems with fiancés, families, food or finances, and she’ll need someone to offload on.

The best friends are not necessarily the best little wedding helpers, it turns out. “As a bride,” said one pal, recently engaged, “ask yourself who you’d want to drive to Scotland with, on a rainy day, in an unreliable car, where you’ve both forgotten your credit cards and mobile phones? It may not be the fun girl you like to party with.”

Her point, I think, was that if you could stomach a friend on a stressful, scary, hungry adventure like that one, she might just be the person you want walking a halfstep behind, heading off every potential problem before you even see it, on your wedding day too…

MATT BIELBY, editor

CONTENTS

44Tudor glamour on the edge of Dartmoor…

40Incredible

12Art meets

blooms at Electric Daisy

details on the new Amy Mair gowns

Vow M ag a zine MATT BIELBY Editor

matt.bielby@mediaclash.co.uk

KATE AUTHERS Editor at Large kate.authers@mediaclash.co.uk

MATT WILLIAMS Art Director

50 Hot wheels at a Bath wedding

Order of service 7 INVITATIONS

We get crafty with the haberdashery, and make a right old mess with the confetti.

(Don’t worry, though – it’s biodegradable!)

21 THE BRIDE

As the nights start to draw in, it’s time to embrace the new autumnal mood with amazing dress ’n’ decor ideas for a cool-

weather wedding. Plus! We talk to two of the most exciting West Country wedding dress designers: Sassi Holford, who needs no introduction, and Amy Mair, who maybe might – but not, we’re saying, for long!

50 JUST MARRIED

Few weddings are traditional these days, it seems: one of these has no best man, and the other takes place in the garden…

54 THE VENUE

Big or small, this issue’s selection of potential rural venues has one thing in common: they’re bloomin’ gorgeous…

SOPHIE SPEAKMAN Advertising Executive sophie.speakman@mediaclash.co.uk

Production and Distribution Manager SARAH KINGSTON sarah.kingston@mediaclash.co.uk

Deputy Production Manager & Production Designer KIRSTIE HOWE kirstie.howe@mediaclash.co.uk

Chief Executive JANE INGHAM jane.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk

Vow Magazine, MediaClash, Circus Mews House, Circus Mews, Bath BA1 2PW 01225 475800 www.mediaclash.co.uk © All rights reserved. May not be reproduced without written permission of MediaClash.

On the cover: Allegra dress from the new 2018 Collection by Sassi Holford

64 LET’S PARTY

Colouring in has been having a moment, but never like this…

54 Britain’s prettiest village?

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66 TRADITIONS WE LOVE Watch out you don’t let these pretty fire hazards too near the veil!

Printed on paper from a well-managed source. Ink are vegetable based; printer is certified to ISO 14001 environmental management

PICTURES BY ROSS TALLING, ANI PHOTOGRAPHY

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Amazing new gowns from Taunton’s finest…

Weddings at the Centurion Hotel At the Centurion Hotel we are here to help make your Wedding Day dreams come true. We can tailor a bespoke package to suit your needs and our dedicated and professional team will be able to help you every step of the way, whether it is a small intimate gathering or a large celebration.

Glass Slipper Package Civil Ceremony room Wedding Breakfast (3 course menu for 50 guests) Drinks package Evening buffet (100 guests) Bridal Suite for the night of the Wedding Wedding dress Groom suit hire

Photographer Wedding car Wedding cake Flowers Balloons Place setting and table plan DJ (for evening reception) Chair covers with sash Optional bolt on Honeymoon

Total Cost for the package £6,000

The perfect package for the perfect price

Glass Slipper Deluxe Package 65 × day guests included Gold drinks package 3 Course Wedding Breakfast 100 × evening guests – butties or pasties Bridal Suite for the night of the Wedding No extra venue hire Chair covers and sash Printing of place cards and table plan Photography Coverage from brides preparations to the first dance.

10×10” 30 page album of your choice Copyright to all edited Hi Res images put onto Disc/USB Private online gallery for photos to be viewed by guests Funky nights evening photos to include 50 8x6” mounted free prints

Total cost for the package £9,975

Flowers 2 × Column pedestal arrangements 1 × Cascading waterfall arrangement 6 × Bespoke table centres 1 × Bridal bouquet 6 × Buttonholes 2 × Corsages

Solitaire Brides Bridal dress (to keep) and groom suit hire

Wedding Car Elite Balloons Disco and DJ 3 Tier Cake £500 towards a honeymoon specialist

Charlton Lane | Midsomer Norton | Nr BATH | Somerset | BA3 4BD www.centurionhotel.co.uk | E: enquiries@centurionhotel.co.uk T: (0)1761 417711 | F: (0)1761 418357 | Club Tel: (0)1761 412214

Exchange your Vows at The Holburne Museum If you are looking for a unique venue in Bath for your special day, the Holburne Museum can provide history, elegance and atmosphere for the most memorable day of your life. We will tailor our packages to meet your needs and budget. From simple ceremonies to lavish receptions. Get 10% off weekday ceremonies when you quote HMW17.

For more information please contact us on Privatehire@holburne.org or 01225 388569 WWW.HOLBURNE.ORG

Invitation s HELPING YOU WIN YOUR RACE TO THE ALTAR

WILD AT HEART English elegance in close proximity to untamed animal passions? The new hen party-orientated offering at LONGLEAT combines the fancy and the ferocious in winning fashion…

What’s the perfect bride like? Some gentlemen may suggest a tempting (if unlikely) combination of elegant and wild, civilised and savage, a woman who’s stylish and refined in company and something else entirely when she retires with him upstairs…

Well, let us introduce a hen party possibility to match: afternoon tea in The Orangery at Longleat Estate, where you can enjoy a well-curated selection of speciality teas, afternoon cocktails, delicious sandwiches, homemade meringues and intricately-crafted cakes – all made using virtuous locallysourced ingredients – within earshot of the lions, the tigers, and the general hubbub of nature red in tooth and claw.

Emma’s Afternoon Tea – named for Emma Weymouth (wife of the current Viscount Weymouth, who manages the Longleat Estate, and something of a lover of this very English tradition) – is now a permanent fixture here, available daily from 12pm5pm, and with the option of a VIP safari park tour either before or after. “I spent a long time refining our afternoon tea to make sure it’s just right,” Emma says, “so, in addition to dainty finger sandwiches and cream tea scones, I’ve also put a modern twist on some classics, such as my chocolate ganache-filled meringues. They’re so decadent and more-ish!” emma-weymouth.com VOW | 7

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Snap happy CH R IS DAW – w ed d i n g ph oto g r a ph er

HE’S IN FASHION Chris Daw mostly works between London and Bath these days; he loves a stylish couple, he says, but finds it’s more important for good shots that the love between them shines through…

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Worcestershire-based CHRIS DAW has been a full-time photographer for a decade or so now, concentrating on fashion and weddings Chris shot his first wedding about 11 years ago, for a friend’s family – as is often the case. “It’s a steep learning curve, but you gain huge experience straight away,” he now says. “The couple were really happy with the photos, but did comment that one family member

was absent from many shots. It turned out one of the groom’s brothers had retired to the bar early, so a lesson was learnt – now I make sure I’m familiar with who the key family members are!”

How many weddings do you shoot?

I usually aim for 10-15 a year. I’m busy with fashion and commercial work too, so I don’t want it to feel like a conveyor belt, with a wedding every weekend. I like each wedding shoot to feel personal and individual, with plenty of time for preparing with the couple.

What does a typical package cost?

My full-day shoot fee starts from £1,150, with album packages from £1,500.

All my packages include meetings to discuss their plans and arrangements, visits to the venues, around 350-400 finished/retouched high-res images, and an online gallery. I use two of the UK’s leading suppliers for albums and prints – I’ve absolute trust that what they produce will be beautiful.

How do you make sure you don’t miss any vital parts of the day?

Preparation! I spend a lot of time making sure I'm aware of all the arrangements and timings. The day goes by quickly, and it’s so important that the bride and groom just enjoy it without worrying about what I’m doing.

I shoot in a reportage style, so if I know what’s coming up I can just observe and capture the joy of it all. Equipment is key, too – I use three cameras with lots of back-up batteries, cards, and lenses – so not worrying about gear means I can concentrate on what’s happening.

You must have shot in some gorgeous locations…?

I cover weddings all around the country, though the beauty of Bath takes some beating. Last year I was lucky enough to shoot a Swiss wedding by Lake Geneva, with a reception high in the Alps. It was breathtaking, a dream location. I find, though, that the imagination and personal touches a couple put into their day can be as important as the venue.

What looks bad in photos?

Guests looking all over the place in posed group photos. People are easily distracted – usually by other guests taking snaps behind you! I ask them to take their photos first, then keep clear!

How about the weather? Is shooting in the rain a nightmare?

It’s important to cover whatever’s happening, so if there’s a sudden downpour as the party appears outside a church, that’s all going to be part of the memories of the day. I always have a plan B for posed group photos, though – nobody wants to stand in the rain! It’s equally important with strong sunlight: a group of guests squinting is not going to make a great photo either.

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I n v i tat i o n s : C H R I S D A W

Ever been trampled by a crowd?

Dancing crowds can be a challenge, particularly later in the evening. Getting in close often gets you great shots, but if the drinks start flying around, that’s the cue for me to put the cameras away…

Do you ever tear up on the job?

Impossible not to, sometimes! Tears in front of the camera are trickier – I did have one groom who was overcome with emotion throughout. It makes you realise what a sensitive job you’re doing.

There must be standard shots that everybody wants…

There are, so I try to focus on emotions and personalities – different at every wedding – rather than producing a standard set of shots. When it comes to the posed family groups, it helps to use the unique setting of each venue. That said, most of my pictures are unposed – I guide couples into areas with the quality of light I’m looking for, loosely position them but let them do their own thing.

Just letting them have fun with each other produces the shots I’m looking for.

You shoot a lot in black and white…

For me, it’s important to keep a unified look to the photos. I usually produce some in colour, and some in black and white, but they should have a style that works as a whole. Black and white is great for certain parts of the day, as the eye is not distracted by the colour all around – you are drawn to people’s expressions.

Finally, can you tell if a couple is going to stay together?

I pride myself on being a good observer, but I wouldn’t pretend to know what’s really going on in a relationship… chrisdawphotography.com 10 | VOW

PICTURES BY CHRIS DAW

I did have a January wedding once where the venue interior was almost totally candle-lit – beautiful for picking out individual faces and details, but way too dark for a posed group of 100 guests. Of course, it rained all day, so I had to shoot the big group photos indoors – a situation where I was glad of my experience in fashion photography. I had to get the big lights out!

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Flower power

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE Seasonal flowers have long been the order of the day for discerning brides, but the ELECTRIC DAISY FLOWER FARM’s conceptual creations take creative floristry to another level An artist all her life, Fiona Haser Bizony isn’t your usual florist. Her varied career has seen her embrace creative avenues from ceramics and sculpture to pinhole photography, curation and art directing.

But it wasn’t until her children left home 12 | VOW

that she decided she wanted to start her own business. “I did a horticultural course,” she tells us, “and thought I was going to be the grower, but it turned out that floristry was actually the bit I loved most of all. I curate the flowers I’m growing, so I’m always deciding on colours and the shapes, but it’s then what I do with them that’s really exciting.”

Currently floral artist in residence for the RHS, Electric Daisy Flower Farm is just going into its fourth year.

So, Fiona, tell us what you do?

We grow seasonal British flowers. So whenever you’re getting married, you get the freshest, most fragrant flowers that we’ve grown on our organic flower

farm near Bath. When I started, I went around looking at walled gardens – and The Ethicurean, south of Bristol, was one I visited with my son; he loved it so much he got a job as a chef there. He was talking to their gardener one day, who was growing an ‘electric daisy’, and Oscar told me how amazing it is. It’s a medicinal plant, and it’s a bit like Space Dust – it makes your mouth go pop.

People use it for numbing the mouth if they’ve got tooth ache, so a common name for it is tooth ache plant. You can also make a natural botox out of it!

What’s your average day like?

There’s so much to learn, and you have to keep on top of it. So, at the moment

FLOWER POWER

Picture BY alma haser

Picture BY alma haser Picture BY Britt Willoughby Dyer

I’m ordering ranunculus and anemone and tulip, but you have to do a lot of research to decide what colours you want and what plants will work as cut flowers.

You have to know how to grow them, which is a huge science, and then you need to know how to run a business…

What’s your floral style like?

I didn’t train as a florist, I’ve just picked up things as I go along. My background is visual, so that side of it is not difficult for me and, as an artist, I’ve always been a problem solver. It’s always better to have the idea and then solve how you’re going to make it work, rather than know the technical things and not have the ideas. So I tend to tell myself stories. For VOW | 13

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instance, I’ve been doing installations for the RHS this year, and the one I did for Cardiff had to have a Welsh theme in three frameless greenhouses, so I thought I’d do something conceptual and came up with a song, with a trumpet of sound going through the greenhouses.

What would be your dream brief?

For a wedding? To be allowed to do exactly what I want, though it’s also nice to have a remit. The bride will have a theme, and maybe a colour palette and her Pinterest boards, then I can get going on it. The best ones are where I can use as many flowers as possible. I did a huge one this summer where I made a six-metre hanging garden and a nine14 | VOW

metre hanging circle over a bar, so it was very exciting to see it work.

And what’s your most memorable wedding commission?

I’m always looking to the next thing, so I’m always looking forward. That said, I did do a lovely wedding this summer where the bride rode bareback to her wedding at the church. She had a gorgeous white horse and I made a beautiful flower collar for it. Lovely!

Big rings and moon gates are popular right now, where people stand in a giant circle which is covered in flowers. I’ve had a few brides go for my flamboyant crowns and that’s really nice; as they like my style and let me do what I want.

Ah yes, those signature flower crowns. Tell us more…

So, they are quite sticky-outy! I first came up with them for a calendar for 2016. Mr October at the moment is very stickyouty, he’d have your eyes out, so I have to restrain myself a bit for the brides. Last year I did a calendar with women, and we’ve just finished the photoshoot for next year’s calendar. We did an amazing one for August where I made a floating cloud of flowers, which went from yellow to orange in ombre style. We had twins sitting underneath it.

In fact, one thing I want to do an awful lot more of is flower clouds; I’d just love to have a bride with a cloud following her down the aisle.

FLOWER POWER

Picture BY alma haser

Picture BY sarah burton Picture BY Rhiannon Marshall

Favourite flowers to work with?

That changes with the seasons. I love ranunculus, and they go on giving and last really well; at the moment I’ve got these fab dahlias, and I also absolutely love the chrysanthemum I’m growing.

I grow unusual ones and they’re all sorts of spiky and spidery. Autumn is my favourite season, because you can go foraging for all sorts of leaves and more.

How far in advance must we book?

I’m a very last-minute person, so I don’t really mind if something’s last minute.

We’ve always got a lot of flowers – and we’ve practically always got somebody who can help me do them! electricdaisyflowerfarm.co.uk VOW | 1 5

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New and notable

FIX UP, LOOK SHARP

With a hugely diverse choice of over 5,000 luxury ribbons, plus tassels, braids, feathers and more, specialist trimmings supplier VV ROULEAUX, has recently brought its unrivalled selection of beautiful wares to Bath. . .

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Anyone with a love for a good haberdashery department will adore VV Rouleaux. They’ve had a shop on Marylebone Lane in London since 1990, were the ribbon supplier of choice for one Kate Middleton when she married Prince William, and are a go-to destination for designers, decorators and lovers of beautiful things alike.

“I founded VV Rouleaux with the belief that there should be no barriers between weddings, fashion, and interior design,” explains founder Annabel Lewis. “This fluid approach inspired me to blend texture, pattern, and colour into a sumptuous melting pot of couture trimmings which can be used at a wedding, or in the home, as much

Pictures by Camilla Lucinda Photography

as on a piece of clothing. The historic city of Bath is a perfect match for our exquisite haberdashery; some of which, like our pure silk grosgrain ribbon, has not been seen elsewhere for decades.

When it comes to weddings, we’re all about beautiful silk flowers, vintage headdresses, exquisite lace, swooning feathers, bespoke ribbons, and the little details which make a day special.”

And what about any particular memorable VV Rouleaux highlights?

“Some time ago, I decorated Hampton Court Palace for the Royal Wedding of Lord Frederick Windsor to Sophie Winkleman,” says Annabel.

“Another memorable moment was when Her Royal Highness The Duchess of

Cambridge personally attended our London shop looking for ribbon for her bouquet and bridesmaids’ waists.”

Hat-making is another speciality.

“Our bespoke hat creation service allows you to choose from our millinery ingredients, including flowers and feathers, to make a beautiful one-ofa-kind hat or fascinator to match your outfit,” explains Annabel. “There’s no need to book, just pop into our shop and our millinery gurus will help you design a new creation or update an existing headpiece, for collection in 24 hours.”

It’s a destination shop for customers with all levels of vision and experience, and for those wanting to get hand-on – something we can whole-heartedly

recommend – they also host regular workshops in hat-making, ribbon flowermaking, and bridal headdress-making, as well as hen parties, on request.

Finally, can Annabel give us any inthe-know wedding tips?

“Hand-painted silk and velvet roses, picot-edge satin ribbon, and Lady Amherst feathers are all just gorgeous,” she enthuses. “I love it when we’re asked to decorate the invitations, the church, the venue – the whole shebang!

I also like a bespoke ribbon designed especially for you and used on the invitations, bridal bouquet, and napkins – and a gifted velvet flower for each of the ladies attending is a lovely idea.” vvrouleaux.com VOW | 17

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Is it worth it?

N at u r a l p e ta l c o n f e t t i – w o r d s b y W e n d y Ly n e

NATURAL SELECTIONS At SHROPSHIRE PETALS they make some of the country’s best biodegradable confetti, and you’ll never guess how many petals a simple handful contains…

Traditionally, wedding guests would bring along their own confetti, but times change, and many venues frown upon that now. Indeed, in most cases they’ve actually banned it, stipulating biodegradable confetti only.

Because of this, it’s now generally the couple that supply it, using only eco-friendly petals – and one of the leading suppliers is Shropshire Petals 18 | VOW

of Newport. “The confetti we do is just the same as blossom falling from a tree,” says Jim Bubb, who runs the family business with his brother, John, “so it will naturally disappear in just a few days.”

So Jim, why do we throw confetti at people anyway?

The tradition originates in Italy, where grain, rice and flowers were – and still

Could we make out own confetti, then? And is it worth the effort?

Some brides-to-be, especially those having a DIY wedding, like to try. We do, however, find a lot of them contact us a few days before their wedding, panicking – largely because the confetti they tried to make themselves has turned brown!

– so they end up buying from us anyway.

The other big problem is that it’s easy to underestimate how many flower you’ll need: there are around 600 petals in a single handful of delphinium confetti!

are – thrown over a newly married couple. Confetti is used to enhance the gaiety of a festive event, and at a wedding it’s a sign the party’s about to get started!

And natural confetti is popular now because of clean-up issues…?

Yes, but using natural petal confetti also gives you the opportunity to have your confetti exactly how you want it. You can choose colours to match – or contrast with – your wedding theme, and pick the type of petals used, how it is displayed and even how it is thrown. More and more couples are after that ‘Instagram worthy’ confetti photo these days, and it tends to be one of the pictures where you’ll be at your most relaxed. Being able

to choose how much you want in a photo makes petal confetti the perfect choice.

So tell us about Shropshire Petals…

We’re an arable farm, but we started Shropshire Petals back in 2005, following a period growing and selling dried flowers. But then a customer asked if our flowers could be dyed to make confetti, and it was a light bulb moment! We realised that the delphiniums we already grew would be perfect – they’re light, small, and keep their colour when dried.

The problem is, our flowers bloom for only six weeks each summer. We pick each flower by hand, then the petals are air-dried. This summer we harvested 714 million petals, a 100% increase on 2016.

It’s not just for throwing, is it?

You can also use it for decorating. Petals can be used to create a romantic path down the aisle, or you can scatter them on crisp white tablecloths for a colour pop to enhance your table décor.

Finally, how much should we buy?

We’d recommend ordering enough confetti for half your guests, as it’s usually only the ladies who throw. A litre starts from £12.25 for delphinium and wildflower mixes, and will provide 10 handfuls. You could buy now but only have it posted out to you just before your big day – or you could get it delivered now, and store it yourself. It will keep beautifully for three or four months in a cool, dry place. shropshirepetals.com VOW | 19

PictureS by shropshire petals

Tell us about the flowers you use…

We grow delphiniums, calendula, cornflower and sunflower petals, as well as freeze-dried rose and hydrangea petals. Every year we have a trials area, where we grow new colours and varieties of petals for potential launch. They don’t always work out, though: a few years ago, we grew a pretty lilac petal that dried grey, which wasn’t what we expected at all – but it actually became one of our best sellers for vintage weddings!

Not all petals are good for throwing.

We recommend using smaller petals for that, as they are light and create a perfect flutter. Larger petals, such as roses and hydrangeas, fall too quickly, so if the colour you want is only available in a larger petal, we suggest mixing them with smaller ones, which will give a colourful, textured confetti moment.

Bickleigh

Castle

Beautiful, historic, intimate and truly romantic… the perfect exclusive and secluded venue for your wedding, birthday party or any other celebration or occasion.

A stunning 14th Century Castle where dreams come true…

• Licensed for Civil Ceremonies • Self Arranged or use our experienced team • Blessing Services and Renewal of Vows in the 6th Century Chapel • Wonderful landscaped gardens and riverside setting • Bed and Breakfast Accommodation

Bickleigh, Near Tiverton, Devon EX16 8RP • Tel: 01884 855363 • Email: info@bickleighcastle.com

www.bickleighcastle.com

THE BR IDE i do, i do, i do

W o r d s b y k ate a u ther s P i c t u r e s b y Si m o n P o w e l l P h o t o g r a ph y

in persuit of

perfection

As Sassi Holford prepares to preview her 2018 collection at her Taunton boutique this month, we chat to the doyenne of dress making about continually pushing the boundaries, having the attention span of a gnat, and princess-in-waiting Meghan Markle...

previous page: cordelia gown; this page: esther gown; opposite: Amelia gown: All Simon Powell Photography

THE BRIDE: sassi holford

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THE BRIDE

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the bride: sassi holford

opposite: Eliza gown; this page: olivia gown; following spread: celia gown: aLL By Simon Powell Photography

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THE BRIDE: sassi holford

H

aving made the dresses for no fewer than three royal weddings to date, Sassi Holford, the selftaught, self-made bridal designer from Taunton, is disarmingly down to earth, warm, open and funny (as she promises not to swear). It was 1981 when she volunteered to design and make a wedding dress for a school friend, and she’s never looked back.

Fast-forward to 2017 and we’re here to chat about Sassi’s 2018 collection – which covers everything from catwalk-inspired jumpsuits to billowing ballgowns in exquisite 3D fabrics – which has already received widespread acclaim from the bridal press. “It’s been amazing,” she says, “and instantaneous. It’s the most instantaneous response I’ve had for an awfully long time – so it’s good, I think!”

And even better news for real brides, who can finally get their own glimpse of the collection – as well as a few sneak peeks from 2019 – when it previews at her Taunton boutique this month.

There are lots of different styles in there, so can you tell us a bit about your influences and inspirations?

One of the main influences is always the fabrics, and what the textile designers are creating. Sometimes I’ll have a vision for something and then I’ll get the textile designed around that and, other times, the textile designers come up with amazing fabrics that are so inspiring.

Every bride has more than one facet to her personality and, as a designer, so do I; so I design things for different types of weddings, which allows me to be more free creatively. We can offer a much wider range because there are so many different ways you can get married now, and that’s a whole lot more fun for me!

One of things on my mind this year is that today’s brides are all about enjoying their weddings, and want to feel effortlessly stylish.

There’s a bigger party element to a wedding now than historically, so brides want to look glamorous, but be sublimely comfortable as well.

Is there a new gown you have a particular affinity with?

One of them is the Cordelia because, when it was first finished, our fit model came in and walked in it and it took my breath away.

Ironically, that was because it’s such a full on, proper wedding dress.

But often it’s not actually about the dress, but the woman wearing it – she can make me love a dress for that moment. When I see someone trying a dress on and they look amazing in it, that’s the moment I designed it for – not just to be this anonymous dress on a hanger.

Do you design with particular people in mind?

Definitely. Rock chicks, or for the girls working in the City of London in a really demanding, male-oriented world – and then they want to be feminine. I have characters in my head when I’m designing, and we name the dresses for them. It can either be somebody I’ve worked with, or who I think the person might be that would wear it.

What key factors drive the design of a new dress?

There are lots of different drivers. I’ve just been asked to design what I’d put Meghan Markle in. The easiest way to design, and the way I love the most, is bespoke – because you have the personality for the dress right there. When that’s taken away, the most important thing becomes the fabric. When I start creating a dress, I’m fastidious about how it’s cut, how it hangs, how it moves. The simplest dress can be one of the hardest, because it has to be perfection.

So, we take it you’re not designing Meghan’s dress yet?

Well, no – but I have made my phone line available. A fourth royal wedding would be most welcome.

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We see a very definite move away from tradition in some styles, such as your jumpsuit, Antonia…

That’s where I’ll be influenced by fashion. When I first started, fashion and bridal didn’t cross over at all, where now it’s very much influenced by the couture catwalks. This style is great for same sex weddings, and it’s selling awfully well for girls that want to take their wedding dress off and party all night. When we made it, the fit model came in and said, ‘Can I have one of these in black to go clubbing?’ I love the models telling me how these dresses make them feel.

37 years in, are you still learning new techniques and fabrics, or do you stick to tried and tested favourites?

The day I stick with tried and tested, I’ll retire. I want to push myself all the time and, as a creative person, one of the frustrating things is that as soon as you’ve launched a collection, you think, ‘What can I do next?’ I’m in pursuit of perfection all the time. It’s not great for my husband, as he knows I’ve got the attention span of a gnat.

What’s the starting point for a new collection, and how long does it take to get from concept to catwalk?

The starting point is a mixture of fear and adrenaline. I know when the deadline is for the runway show, and I do try to be more organised and start early – but, without a doubt, often I create my best dress the week before. I think, just one more dress, and my team all look at me like, ‘You’re kidding, we’re finished!’ That last one will be one of the best dresses because you don’t overthink it or overwork it. I think that was probably the Miranda in this collection.

Who’s worn your creations really well of late?

We dressed Helen Mirren recently, and she made the front page of most of the papers. Helen has worn a couple of the outfits and, from her face, I can see that she’s loving wearing them. In bridal, all my brides – but I loved Emily MacDonagh, who married Peter Andre.

I thought she was beautiful. And I’m doing a Spanish princess right now. When you get the pictures, and you can see how they look and are feeling, that’s the bit where you go, ‘Yep, this is the best job’.

Is there anyone you’d really love to dress?

I don’t tout celebrity weddings, as I want every one of my brides to feel and look amazing in our dresses. That said, when you do a high profile dress like that, it shows everyone what you can achieve. But yeah, Meghan Markle would be very nice at the moment.

Any tips for picking the perfect dress for your body?

Always to do research, which is really easy now; the choice is so vast and you need a starting point. And consider what historically you’ve liked in terms of evening dresses. Then trust your instincts – even if it’s for a sample that doesn’t fit, but you just think ‘this feels right’.

Also, avoid believing all you see, as some images have obviously been manipulated; it’s about being realistic about what’s achievable.

How far in advance do brides-to-be need to book you?

Whatever they’re comfortable with – anything from 12 months is ideal, but it’s got to be ideal for them. If you come in more than 18 months before, you’re not having the current collections available to you, and it’s quite a gamble to stay with that dress for so long. Less than nine months, though, and you’re starting to restrict your choice.

Finally, what are your top trend predictions for 2018?

Simplistic. Less is more. sassiholfordtaunton.co.uk

WORDS by Cl arissa Picot ph oto g r a ph y by E vo k e P i c t u r e s

The Dark Nights Return At Bristol’s famous Prohibition bar, The Milk Thistle, the region’s favourite wedding model makes the most of the coming autumn mood…

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MILK THISTLE

PICTURES BY EVOKE PICTURES

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THE BR IDE : THE DAR K NIGHTS R ETU R N

photography by lucy turnbull

cut some of the fruit in half, or into portions, to give it that Old Masters look – and, of course, to tempt your guests.”

Other key elements included the elegant cake by ANNA Cake Couture, which also ran with the blue-and-gold theme. “I love the sheen of the blue satin against the gold of the top two tiers,” Helen says, “while the elegant piping on the bottom tier is a playful nod to the decorative mouldings found throughout the venue.”

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ummer weddings are all about the fun, but for the season of grey days and dark nights, something rather different is in order. “We wanted to create a look here that was sultry and sophisticated,” says Helen Howells of Cardiff’s The Wedding Bazaar, who styled this shoot, working alongside celebrated local wedding photographers Evoke Pictures. “It had to be a very grown up and indulgent affair. It didn’t hurt, of course, that the venue itself is so full of history and detail. We went big on the candlelight and the cocktails, and added a little modern calligraphy to keep things fresh.”

The location was, of course, Bristol’s Milk Thistle, the hidden Prohibition-style cocktail bar in the middle of town, with its cosy atmosphere that feels more like a decadent house party than your two-for-one Mojitos sort of place. The Milk Thistle’s already quirky, moody look was pulled together by key details – Helen names the sequinned linens and the candlesticks as her most valuable players – with the depth in that glittery blue she’s used throughout set off perfectly by the brightness and warmth of the metals.

“We simply had to use their gorgeous fireplace,” Helen says.

“I’m so glad we decided to carry their blue through the entire look too, as the results feel warm and intimate but also modern and a little daring. Adding gold touches was a way of breaking up all that blue, of course, but it really brought out the depth in the sequins, too.”

Also striking were model Rachel Harvey in her gowns from Perfect Day Bridal, and the flowers by Bristol’s Emma Norton.

“They have the look and feel of a 17th-century still life,” Helen says. “If I was to run with that theme and incorporate fruit into this look too, I can’t help but imagine long dishes groaning under the weight of bright cherries, juicy figs and dusky grapes. Ideally, you’d 3 2 | VOW

s The Milk Thistle is full of art deco details, that gave the guys another theme to run with. “You can definitely see this in the gorgeous crockery and stationery,” Helen says. “To make things a little more contemporary, we paired the art deco design on the tableware with modern gold ‘silverware’, and had the stationery printed on beautiful deep blue, rather than the traditional white card. I thought the fresh, flowing calligraphy contrasted particularly nicely with the clean lines of the design.”

Other striking elements include the taper candles – “by using a darker candle, the eye is really drawn to the candlestick itself and the flame above it,” Helen explains – and the sparkly tablecloths.

“One of the most incredible things about sequinned cloths is how versatile they are,” Helen says. “I’ve styled many weddings where the couple have opted to use sequinned linens on all the tables, rather than focusing on just the top table. If you do decide to go all out like this, though, you can afford to be a little more selective about your other table decor; perhaps just go for a gorgeous candelabra or centrepiece of fresh blooms. Let the sparkle do the talking!”

We hear words like ‘gold’, though, and we can’t help thinking it sounds very expensive. But is it possible to achieve this on a budget?

“Of course! If you love the look of the gold and brass, but don’t want to splash out on a host of decorative items, why not consider upcycling what you already own? There are spray paints available in all sorts of metallics, like rose gold, brass, and silver, with a really great shine. Update old photo frames and vases, and pair them with lush foliage and plenty of candles.”

The Golden Circle What contrasts best with dark blues? Gold, copper, bronze and brass, say this little lot…

Photographer: Evoke Pictures; evokepictures.com Venue: The Milk Thistle; milkthistlebristol.com Cake: ANNA Cake Couture; thisisanna.co.uk Flowers: Emma Norton Flowers;

emmanortonflowers.co.uk Stationery: The Old Market Printing Co;

theoldmarketprintingco.com Dress: Perfect Day Bridal; perfectdaybridal.net Hair and make-up: Grace Kingsley; gracekingsley.co.uk Hair Accessories: Vintage Button Bridal; vintagebuttonbridaldesigns.co.uk Bolero: Liberty in Love; libertyinlove.co.uk Table Linens: Pudding Bridge; puddingbridge.co.uk Silk Ribbon: Kate Cullen; katecullen.co.uk Model: Rachel Harvey

Dartington Hall combines medieval grandeur, natural beauty, exceptional food and comfortable accommodation, and our experienced team are committed to making your wedding the most special day of your lives.

Our award-winning venue can host weddings of all shapes and sizes and is one of the few Devon venues offering outdoor civil ceremonies, which overlook our Grade II* listed gardens. We also welcome and cater for civil weddings.

Contact our experienced Wedding Coordinator on 01803 847145 or email bookings@dartingtonhall.com

OFF-PEAK WEDDING PACKAGE A fantastic new midweek offer See our website for details

www.dartingtonhall.com

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W o r d s b y V i c tori a P a l m e R P h o t o g r a p h y & a r t i s t i c d i r e c t i o n E m m a - J a n e Lewi s

FIELD OF DREAMS Country glamour, accessorised with tactile natural wood, abundant foliage and luxurious precious metals, was the inspiration behind this shoot at a barn in rural Somerset

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The bride: FIELD OF DREA MS

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f your Pinterest boards are filled with festival weddings, complete with hay bales, bell tents and bunting; if you have your own board entitled ‘rustic luxe’; and if you frequently find yourself dreaming of a simple yet chic big day at a barn venue with gorgeous countryside views, it’s quite likely that The Barn at Cott Farm – to be found between between Yeovil and Crewkerne in East Chinnock – will already be on your radar.

This shoot took place in the spring, and the theme – which combined elements from a traditional English country wedding with urban and industrial accessories – was inspired by the venue.

“Straw bales, log slices and country-garden flowers were interspersed with precious metals and geometric coppers and an abundance of greenery,” says Becca Seyfried, owner of the place and enabler of our photo story. “The Barn at Cott Farm retains a rustic and informal charm, with its fairy-lit wooden beams, handmade tables and apple-crate bar. This styled shoot beautifully captures the balance between rustic and chic, indoor and outside, organic and industrial.”

Newly-renovated, the venue doesn’t just offer its guests good looks, but style and comfort too, complete with plenty of pretty outside space, luxury loos (of course!), and a campsite with glamping in furnished bell tents.

Capturing Becca’s vision in dreamy softness was Emma-Jane Lewis, who was also artistic director for the shoot. “I’d seen Emma’s wedding and fashion photography in various magazines, and was in awe of her work,” says Becca. “I approached her for this, fully expecting her to say she couldn’t make it – she lives in London, for a start! But, to my excitement, she said she’d love to take part.”

Emma-Jane takes up the story. “I love to incorporate my background in fashion photography when shooting weddings by adding stronger elements and unusual backdrops to traditional wedding scenes,” she explains. “For example, I did some shots of the couple balancing on logs, which gave a more intense look. And who can resist a yellow field as a background? (This was much to our groom’s discomfort, mind you, due to his hay fever!) The venue, with its rustic origins and modern twists – plus the pretty glamping field – was ideal for a relaxed, natural shoot, and the infusion of greenery with copper and gold tones gave a beautiful, harmonising palette.”

And as is often the way with these things, the rest of the team was assembled via recommendations on social media.

“We wanted to include plenty of natural elements in the shoot, as a key trend for this year,” explains Becca. “So the wedding barn was adorned with greenery on the tables and even above them, with a statement feature of cascading foliage suspended from the wooden beams. I was keen on the idea of creating a suspended arrangement, and was thrilled when Suzy from Blooming Divine was more than on board with this idea.”

I love to incorporate my background in fashion photography when shooting weddings by adding stronger elements and unusual backdrops to traditional wedding scenes

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Making local connections Pulling on their wellies and Barbours for this most West Country of wedding shoots were…

Photography: Emma-Jane Lewis; emma-janephotography.co.uk Venue: The Barn at Cott Farm; cottfarmwedding.co.uk Wedding gown: Romantica of Devon; romanticaofdevon.co.uk Floral design and styling: Suzy Cage; bloomingdivine.co.uk Venue styling: Jennifer Kenn of Setting the Scene; facebook.com/settingthesceneevethire Stationery: Tree Of Hearts; treeofhearts.co.uk Wedding cakes: Naomi Simon; planitcake.co.uk Models: Rhiann and Jordan at Macduff Models; macduffmodels.co.uk Hair: Stacey Jade Hairdressing; staceyjade.co.uk Make-up: Katy Pheiffer; bridalmakeupbykaty.co.uk

pictures by EMMA-JANE LEWIS

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When it came to setting the romantic scene with the table décor, traditional touches such as ivory table runners and a gold candelabra were punctuated by the clean lines of copper hurricane lamps and tea light holders, softened with leafy foliage runners to create a lavish modern style, dripping with organic charm.

“The aisle décor and statement top table centerpiece mirror the bride’s bouquet,” says Becca, “which was teaming with greenery, blush pinks and ivories, with the botanical theme continued through the wedding stationery.” The icing on the cake – created specifically to echo the organic-industrial feel to the shoot – was a marble-look four-tiered creation, finished with crystallised geode detailing.”

When it came to the bride, the natural wildness of the venue inspired the soft pink make-up

by Katy Pheiffer and half-up loose waved hairstyle by Stacey Jade Hairdressing, while the gown itself – “a balance of millennial and classic,” thinks Becca – came in a lovely shade of blush, with delicate appliqué flower detailing and daring plunging v-neck, complementing the natural theme.

The whole thing is the epitome of relaxed, effortlessly elegant and entirely achievable, if ever we saw it.

s r e Flowers w o l Fin her r e h inhairir ha W O R D S b y Pa u l M a r l a n d

p h oto g r a p h y b y s i m o n e pa s l e y

These striking floral afros are made even more remarkable by the fact that their creator, Simone Pasley of Mosaic Model Management, never intended to offer them to brides at all…

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imone Pasley is founder and model manager at Exeter’s Mosaic Model Management – a local model agency with an international reach – but she’s not afraid to try her hand at different forms of creativity too. Indeed, even as her models are walking for London Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week and around Europe, she’s been getting busy with the flowers and feathers.

“This was a very spur-of-the-moment shoot, which we did in Tiverton in Devon,” Simone says, “with a real ‘brides on a budget’ feel. I think it may have been a bit of a shock for the town to see so many brides all running around at once, but they coped admirably.”

Though it started out as a portfolio update, generating new shots for some of Simone’s models – Tatiana, Lydia and Kendall; Kendall stars in the picture you see here – the shoot started to take on a life of its own, using dresses from a local charity shop, Exeter Leukemia

Fund, and jewellery from the British Heart Foundation. “I make the head-dresses myself,” Simone says, “but using them on the shoot was actually a last minute thing.”

In fact, Simone tends to make a lot of props for performance and styled shoots, and put these ones together using polystyrene and foil head bands, along with flowers and feathers from different craft stores. “You know, I haven’t really thought much about it,” she says, “but the head-dresses turned out so well that I’d be happy to accept commissions, if any brides wanted me to make them one. Pricing would obviously vary, depending on the materials used in each one, and the amount of work that went into it.”

Tempting, no? So if you wanted a totally unique bridal look – and one you can guarantee none of your friends will be emulating – you know where to come… mosaicmodels.co.uk

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W o r d s b y W e n d y Ly n e

P i c t u r e s b y owe n w a rrell

In the forests of the night The third bridal collection from Welsh designer Amy Mair mixes aristocratic elegance and fashionforward thinking with an imagination inspired by the jungles of half a world away‌

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MAIN IMAGE OPPOSITE: fiorella gown; this page, clockwise from top left: luna slip, sophia, fiorella, isabella

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the Bride: in the forests of the night

this page and opposite: mariana gown

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ardiff designer Amy Mair tends to take most of her inspiration from nature and from travel, so when we heard the name of her third collection – La Selva, Spanish for ‘tropical forest” – we thought we knew exactly what to expect: big leaves, bright colours, perhaps the odd parrot, and generally a very hot weather look.

In fact, the collection is much more subtle, paying discrete homage to its exotic, tropical influences. Amy’s collections are available at Rachel Burgess Bridal Boutique, in the Welsh seaside town of Penarth; it’s a place that goes out of its way to support local designers, and Rachel herself sees Amy as a real innovator.

“Her signature style is subtle glamour,” she says. “Fit and structure are always sharply executed, but the flowing movement and luxurious fabrics she uses tend to balance this out. The end results are elegant and timeless, certainly, but also with a bohemian or alternative charm. In fact, her work is not like anything else you’ll find in the bridal market: it’s ethereal, but with a little bit of an edge, too.”

And Rachel got particularly excited when she saw the first sketches and samples for the La Selva collection. “The fabrics and textures are so bold and beautiful,” she says, “yet still convey a sense of romance. The dresses are hypnotic, from the colour tones to way they move, and even the sound of the pearls gliding along the floor. It really is a fashion-forward collection, and one we’re proud to champion.”

La Selva comprises four gowns: Marianna, Sophia, Isabella and Fiorella.

“With each new collection,” Amy explains, “I aim to create the most innovative pieces in every way I can, be this through design, fabric selection or whatever. For me, it is important to be 4 2 | VOW

innovative and unique rather than commercial. I aim to design gowns that will not be replicated anywhere else.

“Fiorella, for instance, oozes romance. A simple silk slip is overlaid with nude tulle, embroidered with flowers, stems and leaves. The large flowers begin at the shoulder and travel down the dress, angling around the body in blush and pale tones of coral.

Blending seamlessly with the nude tulle, the striking flower shape is defined by an embroidery stitch and glass beads. What’s key to it, I think, is the statement floral embroidery piece, and I suppose this sets the tone for the whole collection. It felt at the same time effortless but effective, and using it meant that each gown needed strong detailing and textures to keep up with Fiorella.”

Then there’s the rather glamorous 1930s-style Mariana, in which a simple v-necked slip, mirrored from front to back, is is overlaid with pearl tulle – “the overlay fastens at the centre, with a lovely drape and layering of volume from pleats at the waist,” Rachel says – and the sophisticated Sophia, which Rachel describes as “perfect for brides who want to celebrate their curves.” Made of bias-cut satin, it glides and smooths over the body. “And its plunging neckline,” Rachel says, “is balanced by a delicate diamanté and pearl trim, to highlight the under-bust empire shape.”

Finally, there’s the more ethereal Isabella. “It features an exquisitely intricate guipure lace floral motif, sewn over the shoulder seam of soft ivory English cotton tulle,” Rachel says.

“The sleeve is edged with delicate trim and is a cross between a fluted sleeve and caped wing, reflecting the volume in the fuller circular skirt. The underlay features the Luna slip, an interchangeable piece made of silky soft satin, cut on the bias in a simple silhouette.”

he whole collection certainly has something of an exotic feel, but there’s also a very restrained, English ’30s vibe to it too, one that’s almost Lady Mary in Downton Abbey…

“What a perfect way to describe the gowns,” Amy says. “Yes, they do nod to the 1930s and to things like Downton Abbey, though from my perspective – and especially in the inspirational and design stages – an exotic and restrained flamboyance was at the forefront of my mind. The trick was to combine that with a strong sense of elegance.”

“I completely agree,” says Rachel. “Even though the dresses are taking a modern approach to bridal, I do see hints of Downton – in the Mariana gown, especially. The dresses are incredibly light and soft to touch, which works perfectly with the photo shoot location we used here. I also see a hint of boho bride in some of the dresses too: Isabella and Fiorella, in particular, have that wonderful whimsical feel to them, which is highlighted by the drape of the tulle.”

Prices for the 2018 La Selva collection range from £1,560 to £1,950, and Amy suggests that a lead time of 4-6 months should be ample when ordering yours; remember, each dress is handmade for each bride. Amy does all the alterations and tailoring herself, and attends every fitting with Rachel at her boutique, making this a truly bespoke experience. rachelburgessbridalboutique.com; amymaircouture.co.uk

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suzanne neville (opening spread); suzanne laure neville de sagazan (opening (opposite) spread); laure de sagazan (opposite)

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P h oto g r a p h y b y R o s s Ta l l i n g

W o r d s b y C l a ri s s a P icot

The Legend of

Hill House Boringdon Hall is one of the most moody and spectacular wedding venues in the South West. Lady Jane Grey’s dad owned it at one point, and – though her marriage is perhaps not one to emulate – this place can’t help but inspire us to thoughts of period passion and Tudor glamour…

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The bride: boringdon

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hen a wedding venue is mentioned in The Domesday Book – that ‘great survey’ of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086 by order of King William the Conqueror – you know it’s got some serious historical clout. Over a hundred years earlier, the manor of Boringdon and Wembury had been given to St Peter of Plympton by King Edgar, so this place belonged to the local priory for centuries, until Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries in 1539. He offered it to a favourite of his, the Earl of Southampton, who swiftly sold it on to the Duke of Suffolk, and it flew through numerous owners over the next few years, eventually being remodelled to the traditional E-shaped Elizabethan design for large houses, while retaining its medieval portions.

Now renamed Boringdon and owned by the Parker family, the completed new-look manor hosted an opening party in honour of Sir Francis Drake, and – in particular – his victory over the Spanish fleet at Cadiz; all the great seafaring names of the time were there, including Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir Richard Grenville, hero of Alfred Lord Tennyson’s famous poem, ‘The Revenge: A Ballad of the Fleet’.

And the history doesn’t end there: part of Boringdon was destroyed by Oliver Cromwell’s forces during the English Civil War, but the house only really fell into decline when the Parkers moved out in 1750, making their ultra-impressive ‘new-build’ Saltram House – just down the road – their principle residence, and retaining Boringdon as a humble farm house. Eventually, though, it was converted to a hotel – which was destroyed by fire, some 30 years ago. The rebuild since, however, has returned it to its former glory, adding modern luxury and style while retaining period features.

“When I first saw Boringdon I was immediately inspired,” says Elle Winsor Grime of Inspire Hire, who organised this shoot. “And when I learnt that the name comes from the Saxon ‘Birth-Y-Don’, meaning ‘The Enchanted Place on the Hill’, I knew whatever we did had to be magical. It pushed me towards making more whimsical styling choices than I perhaps normally would.”

Part of the challenge for Elle was to make the most of all this ethereal moodiness, but have her wedding styling be fun and inviting too. “One of our most valuable players,” she says, “was florist Emma of Emma Hewlett Flowers in Exeter. She created some wildly romantic trailing floral arrangements, as well as beautiful floral crowns for our bride. Our cakes, from Pink Elephant Cake Co, were naked, so she styled them with trailing jasmine and other blooms. We used several smaller cakes rather than one large one, as they’re often more practical to make and transport, and we could do different things with each one. I’ve always been a huge fan of circular iced bundt cakes” – those versatile ring-shaped things developed in America in the ’50s, following the model of Jewish-German bundkuchen cakes – “as they’re both simple and beautiful. I like that something so humble can also be a show-stopper.”

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oringdon sits on the edge of Dartmoor and, despite its weight and grandeur, is the sort of place where you never feel the natural world is far away – or the otherworld, for that matter. The hillsides are dotted with magical stone circles, and the legends see this area awash with pixies and sprites and the ghosts of Roman legionnaires; little surprise Dartmoor was the inspiration for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles.

“Taking our lead from Boringdon Hall’s medieval history and all its beautiful architectural details – not to mention the way it’s so full of antique furniture – meant our styling inevitably had something of the feel of a dark historical romance,” says Elle. Indeed, we’re thinking Wolf Hall, we’re thinking The Other Boleyn Girl, we’re thinking The Tudors.

“There’s something of that, yes, but I was looking at older periods, too. So our styling of the tablescape has something of the feel of a medieval banquet, using dusky lavender linen and raw textured napkins. I created little rosemary wreaths to dress the napkins, too, and Sincerely May of Falmouth created a beautiful suite of lavender stationery especially for us. It perfectly reflects what I hope was some elegant, simple styling – but with a wild side, too.”

We’re certainly getting that this isn’t a summery look for a wedding, but is rather more autumnal.

“Oh, definitely,’ says Elle. “Styling like this would be perfect for an autumn wedding celebration. It’s a little bit simple, a little bit wild, a little bit cosy, a little bit dangerous – and it uses simple details, like coloured candles, to really add a magical extra dimension.”

The name comes from the Saxon ‘Birth-Y-Don’, meaning ‘The Enchanted Place on the Hill’

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Elle Enchanted Joining Elle in adding simple whimsy to this most spectacular of locations were…

Location: Boringdon; boringdonhall.co.uk Photography: Ross Talling; rosstalling.co.uk styling, design and hire: Inspire Hire/

Elle Winsor Grime; inspire-hire.co.uk FLowers: Emma Hewlett Flowers; emmahewlett.co.uk Dresses: The Bridal House of Cornwall;

thebridalhouseofcornwall.co.uk Make-up/hair: Claire and Rebekah at The Pop Up Salon;

thepopupsalon.co.uk Cake: Pink Elephant Cake Co; pinkelephantcake.co.uk Stationery: Sincerely May; sincerelymay.co.uk Models: Milly Curry and Jim Cadge

A truly unique wedding venue in the heart of Clifton Village, licensed to carry out weddings and civil partnerships in the most breathtaking surroundings.

Fine dining prepared in house for you by our Resident Chef, with free Wedding Menu Tasting for the Bride and Groom.

Wedding parties of between 20 and 100 guests can be arranged in our exquisite rooms.

Bespoke Wedding Service Luxurious Heritage Interiors Dedicated Events Team Exceptional Service Guaranteed Exclusively Yours Ceremony Only Options Available For further information or for a copy of our Wedding Brochure, please get in touch.

Telephone: 0117 9745039 Email: sarah.davidson@thecliftonclub.co.uk

www.cliftonweddings.co.uk

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thecliftonclub

The Clifton Club, 22 The Mall, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4DS

J UST M AR R IED REAL-LIFE WEST COUNTRY WEDDINGS

Global gathering Christina Yuen and Fletcher Tully

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any a good love story starts with a cup of coffee – or every love story, if you’re a character in Friends – which was exactly the scenario with Christina and Fletcher.

Fletch proposed in July 2016, Christina said yes (of course), and they had everything planned in a swift eight months.

The church and reception venues ended up being very ‘quick’ decisions – they saw them and fell in love with them – with the 5 0 | VOW

ceremony itself taking place at St. Andrews in Heddington, near Calne, a beautiful old Grade-II* church originally built prior to 1130, when it was given to Farleigh Priory.

“It’s a family friends’ village church, small, simple and elegant,” explains Christina, “and we wanted an ‘official’ marriage yet a relaxed setting.” The reception venue followed a similar vibe, with its rustic countryside feel and warm, welcoming staff. “We particularly liked that the dining marquee and dance floor were so close to one another, as we wanted to keep guests together and create a cosy, intimate atmosphere.”

With their families living abroad, it was getting everyone together to give any input before the wedding that turned out to be the tricky bit, but they got there in the end.

The gown was a frothy full-skirted Donna Lee number from Trousseaux Bridal in Swindon. “Vicki and her team are warm and helpful, and so supportive throughout the process,” Christina says. The groom, meanwhile, found his suit at Savile Row tailor Richard James. Christina’s up-do came courtesy of Abi Willis – “she

CHRISTINa & FLETCHER That cake at the bottom is passionfruit and coconut – not exactly classic wedding flavours, you may say, though it sounds so delicious that we want a slice right now…

PictureS by ani photography

Marriage Guidance Who? Christina Yuen and Fletcher Tully When? 13 May, 2017 Where? St. Andrew’s Church, Heddington and The Moonraker, Bradford on Avon; moonrakerhotel.com Dress: Donna Lee from Trousseaux, Swindon; trousseaux.co.uk Cake: Sandra Monger; sandramongercakes.co.uk Florist: Hedge Rose, Marlborough; hedgeroseflorist.co.uk weddinG coordinator: Josh Tully; joshtullymanagement.co.uk Photography: Ani Photography; aniphotography.com

is so bubbly, calming and extremely professional, and I’ve already recommended her to another bride” – while classic pearl jewellery came from Christina’s family. Finishing touches in the form of pretty peep-toe shoes from Unisa were set off by a luxury manicure and pedicure from Monika and her team at MK Beauty in Bath. “My nails looked exquisite, and I felt truly pampered before the big day!”

Christina decided she’d do her make-up herself using Laura Mercier, after brushing up on her skills with a lesson at SpaceNK, and the couple also took the unusual route of not having a best man or bridesmaids. “We wanted to be directly accountable to all our guests on the day,” says Christina.

The flowers, both for the bride’s bouquet and the venue, were a pretty pastel mix of wonderfully scented roses, peonies, lilac, thistles, astilbe, eucalyptus and rosemary from Hedge Rose in Marlborough, and the cake – a three-tiered, semi-naked passionfruit coconut confection from Sandra Monger in Bath – turned out to be a huge hit. “It was decorated with tropical plumeria,” says Christina, “and tasted so good that no one realised it was gluten-free!”

So what were their favourite photos? (The runaway bride shot [seen above] is definitely one of ours…)

“I loved the ones from the church ceremony,” says Christina, “as they really captured the sacred feel of the day and the commitment we have for each other. Ani did amazing shots when the sun shone on me through the church window – a beautiful effect that was totally unplanned! Also, the photos of the boys at the reception – they really got into it!”

So it sounds like everything went really smoothly, and the weather was gorgeous – win! Were there any bridezilla moments?

“There was one,” admits Christina. “Two weeks before the wedding, we moved house. Stress levels hit the roof, as we also had to deal with wedding prep and entertaining families from overseas.

Luckily, our friend Josh Tully – no relation! – kindly stepped in last minute to lend us a hand. He runs a very successful event management business, and is well-rehearsed in wedding planning.

We couldn’t have been more blessed to have someone who knows us and the industry well to give us that extra support in the run-up.”

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JUST M ARRIED

Home is where the heart is Eleanor Van Gils and Tom Welham

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e rarely meet our significant others at truly glamorous events – one of Gatsby’s West Egg parties, say – but not so Eleanor and Tom, who first met in 2001 at Blenheim Palace, where they were attending the Horse Trials. Tom eventually proposed in 2015 in a restaurant at the foot of the Rialto Bridge in Venice. Yes, they’d been together for 12 years at this point, but Tom was still nervous.

“He’d managed to hide the ring from me,” Eleanor says, “but

I’m not sure he’d rehearsed the proposal, and didn’t really ask me to marry him. Instead, what came out was, ‘Will you be my partner for life?’ Obviously, he’s never lived this down.”

The guys had actually started building a house together at this point, which meant wedding plans were put on hold.

“We bought it from Tom’s grandfather, who’d lived there for 70 years,” Eleanor says. “But we decided to undertake a full re-build.

We finally moved in during July 2016 – meaning we had ten months to put the wedding together. We could use one of the adjoining fields for a marquee, so it seemed fitting to hold all our celebrations here.”

Before all that, though, they held their ceremony at the church in the village, Lingfield. “Tom always wanted a church wedding,” Eleanor says, “and several family members had got married there.”

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leanor had an idea of the sort of gown she was looking for – a full lace slimline dress with some sequin detail – but, having tried a few on, realised she actually wanted something very different. “Jemma, from wedding planning company Beattie Bailey, suggested I try White Mischief in Henfield for some Augusta Jones and Naomi Neoh dresses,” Eleanor says. “And when I stepped into the Vivien from Naomi Neoh, I knew it was the one – even before it was done up! It was so insanely light, delicate and beautiful that it brought me to tears.”

Because the Vivien has a strapless sweetheart neckline, she knew she wanted sleeves, so ordered a custom bolero too. “It’s a design called Azelea, which I teamed with hair by my regular hairdresser, Tiff, and earrings and a bracelet that were gifts from Tom.”

Joining the couple in church were two best men – Mark Beattie and James Doran – and six bridesmaids, ranging from 15-year-old niece Millie to three pals of 20 years, Tori, Laura and Jack. “The four of us met at agricultural college,” Eleanor says. “And then there were Cressy and Sam, who I lived with later. The girls all wore ivory lace and dusky blue chiffon dresses from For Her and For Him.” 52 | VOW

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lso crucial to the effect were the flowers, blue and white delphiniums with peonies from Occasionally Yours in Godstone, Surrey, who made the bouquets and buttonholes, and filled four milk churns with flowers.

One of the bridesmaids, Jack, owns a wedding prop company – Pretty Quirky Hire – and threw herself into the preparations, helping set up the marquee and adding the finishing touches. Eleanor and the other bridesmaids made all the flower arrangements for the tables under Jack’s watchful eye, using white delphiniums, soft pink roses and eucalyptus, plus peonies from a neighbours’ garden which, Eleanor says, “I’d been storing in the fridge for three weeks!”

Regrets? Well, there are none to speak of, bar the usual – “the day flew by without me talking to anyone,” Eleanor says. “It’s true that we spent more money than we’d intially intended, but it was all worth it. (Even the eight hours making paper pompoms was time well spent, as they looked amazing!) In fact, I’d like to have added things: I just saw that someone had fairground rides at their wedding, and I wish I’d thought of that.”

Eleanor & Tom Amongst Eleanor's favourite pictures are those taken below their apple tree. “The light was amazing,” she says, “and it’s been a big part of the family home for years.”

PictureS by Laura eddolls

Marriage Guidance Who? Eleanor Van Gils and Tom Welham When? 24 June 2017 Where? Church of St Peter and St Paul, Lingfield Reception: Meadhurst Farm, Lingfield (couple’s home) Wedding Planner: Beattie Bailey; beattiebailey.com Dress: Naomi Neoh at White Mischief, Henfield; whitemischiefbridal.co.uk Bridesmaids: For Her and For Him; forherandforhim.com Groom’s outfit: Moss Bros; moss.co.uk Hair: Latifa Akyildiz Ozulku Make-up: Emma Lilly Curran; emmalilycurran.co.uk

Marquee: Piece of Cake Marquees; pieceofcakemarquees.com Caterer: Browns Kitchen; browns-kitchen.co.uk Lighting, decor and design: Pretty Quirky Hire; prettyquirkyhire.co.uk Cake: Gloverley Cupcakes; gloverlycupcakes.com Band: Black and Gold at Earcandy; earcandylive.co.uk Strings: Apollo Strings; apollostrings.com Florist: Occasionally Yours, Godstone; flowersforflorists.co.uk Invitations: Lucinda Art Stationery: VVE Design Photography: Laura Eddolls; lauraeddolls.com VOW | 5 3

THE VENUE Pictures exclusive hotels

Swank hotels, sex y spaces & picturesque part y spots

Manor from heaven To be found in the heart of the chocolate box Cotswold village of Castle Combe, the breathtakingly beautiful 14th-century Manor House offers the perfect imposing backdrop to say ‘I do’…

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or any couple that’s long dreamt of their own ‘Lord or Lady of the Manor’ moment, there can’t be many venues that live up to the quintessential English country house ideal quite like The Manor House at Castle Combe.

For one, you’d be following in the footsteps of its most famed former inhabitant, Sir John Falstaff – immortalised by Shakespeare in Henry IV. For another, of course, you’d be able to invite your guests to a wedding in what’s often referred to as the prettiest village in England.

“Located on the southern edge of the Cotswolds, just a stone’s throw from Bath, The Manor House is surrounded by 365 acres of stunning park and woodland, with 50 individually-designed bedrooms and suites, the Michelin-starred Bybrook restaurant, an award-winning golf course and our very own village pub, The Castle Inn,” explains Joanne

The m anor house

Thom, events manager at the venue. “We can cater for anything from two to 120 guests, and can also accommodate a marquee on the lawns adjacent to the house, which can hold up to 250.”

Weddings, it seems, are part of the very fabric of The Manor House, and almost nothing is too much trouble for them.

“We have a fantastic banqueting team who have run hundreds of successful weddings throughout their careers,” says Joanne, reassuringly. “We want to ensure that the bride and groom have absolutely nothing to worry about on their wedding day, so will do everything from setting up the wedding breakfast and ceremony rooms to the couple’s exact requirements, to collecting the bride from her room to take her to meet the registrars. Our operations manager even loaned his own cufflinks to a groom who had forgotten his recently!

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THE VENUE

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edding trends, too, are constantly evolving and changing, and Joanne is in prime position to tell us what’s hot right now. “This year seems to have been the year of marquees for us, with couples ‘making a weekend’ of their wedding,” she says. “The official wedding bits will take place on the first day, and then the following day is a big party – much more relaxed, with games, barbecue food and lots of fun!”

And how much will it set couples back, roughly?

“It very much depends on time of year, day of the week, and size of the wedding, but exclusive use starts from £19,999, based on 80 guests,” says Joanne.

Couples can save money by choosing prosecco instead of champagne, bacon rolls and chips instead of a hog roast, or by asking their guests to contribute towards the cost of their bedrooms.”

With amazing Italianate gardens, gorgeous nooks and crannies in the lounge spaces, and the honeyed façade of the manor itself, you’d never be short of photo opportunities. “I think couples should definitely push the boat out when it comes to a photographer,” Joanne says. “You can’t go back in time if the photos aren’t right, so it’s vitally important to choose wisely.

“I also think decoration and flowers are key, as they are going to be seen by everyone and can really transform a space. It’s amazing how draping and fairy lights can make a room look completely different.”

So, if you were getting married here, what would you do to tailor the venue to you and your guests?

“I actually am getting married here, in October next year,” reveals Joanne. “One thing that was really important to me was to have exclusive use of the venue, so it’s mine for the duration of my wedding and is a blank canvas for me to create my perfect day. We are lucky enough to have some really versatile spaces here that, within reason, couples can transform as they wish. A really easy way to add a personal touch to your day is with table names, calling them after places, people, cars, restaurants – we see all sorts! – that mean something to you, your friends and family.”

If the events manager is planning to spend her happiest moments here, you know it’s a good sign. exclusive.co.uk/the-manor-house/ 5 6 | VOW

Pictures exclusive hotels

“The most important thing to me is seeing every bride and groom happy on the biggest day of their lives, and this is what makes my heart sing – knowing that I’ve been a part of that.”

And, to your mind, is there anything couples might not consider when evaluating potential venues?

“The majority of our couples are fairly clued-up on weddings and what they want,” reckons Joanne, “though we often find that couples are unsure about the registrar process and church ceremonies, which is something they do need to organise themselves.”

Love your dreams...

Love your partner...

Love...

Celebrate your special day in style surrounded by breathtaking grounds, our stunning lakes and pristine gardens provide the ideal backdrop for your wedding.

• Ideal for intimate ceremonies as well as more elaborate receptions • Licensed for both civil ceremonies and partnerships • Up to 150 seated guests can be entertained in our permanent marquee • 17 en-suite bedrooms available, accommodating up to 45 guests • A dedicated and experienced wedding co-ordinator • Complete wedding package available from £3100 for 2018 Rest assured the service will be of the highest standard and your day will be one to remember!

Ben Lee Photography

Lakeview Manor, Dunkeswell, Honiton, Devon EX14 4SH 01404 891287 / 891358 reception@lakeviewmanor.co.uk www.lakeviewmanor.co.uk f LakeviewManor

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the venue

Wild in the country Handsome, historic, but decidedly non-stuffy, Escot House is the perfect venue for the most relaxed and individual of country weddings…

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ucked away in the east Devon countryside, Escot House is an accessible yet tranquil venue – set in 250 acres of parkland, but not far from the M5 motorway – that owner and manager Lucy Kennaway likes to describe as “a stately home without the stuffiness.”

The guys have been hosting weddings here for nearly 25 years now, and have three very different rooms available; couples can mix and match for the perfect combo. “Escot has always been our family home, and we work hard to make sure it feels warm and friendly,” Lucy says. “It’s a relaxed environment where couples feel able to kick back and enjoy time with family and friends. We only ever offer exclusive use, so you can be sure of your privacy and space.

Escot’s a flexible venue, and not at all prescriptive.”

Indeed, they’re so flexible that – at one rainy wedding – when the sun popped out briefly during the meal, everyone hotfooted it into the garden for photos between mains and dessert. “We were more than fine with that,” Lucy says. “But even if it hadn’t stopped raining, there are plenty of places where photos can be taken indoors. That said, any wedding that makes great use of the outdoors is a bonus; we’ve had coconut shies, splat the rat and skittles on the lawn, and birdof-prey displays and coin-making on the terrace.”

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scot House can cater for 120 people using the house, or 180 with a marquee. “We love a big wedding, of course,” Lucy says, “but are more than happy to cater for smaller celebrations, too. There’s a wooden chair in the hall that’s basically a throne, and one of our favourite things is to see a grandad sitting there, holding court. There should never be surprises at a wedding – unless they’ve been organised by the wedding party themselves, of course!”

Are you ever worried people may damage things?

“Let me put it like this: a good question to ask of any wedding venue – particularly a period property – is whether stilettos are allowed on the dance floor.” So,

are they? “Yes, of course! Perhaps the biggest problem we’ve ever had was when one groom locked his keys in his car – and his speech was in there too!”

What about wedding trends you’ve noticed?

“Everyone wants their tables to look stunning,” Lucy says, “but there’s been a trend towards adding so many bits and pieces – bunting, signs, sparkles – that it can get messy. You need space for food and wine too.

“Trends we love, though, include cheese wedding cakes and thumb-print guest books, which are a really sweet idea (but make sure there’s a packet of Wet Wipes for people to use afterwards). Photo booths are always a giggle too, and a real ice breaker for evening guests – sometimes our staff are cajoled into posing, and the results are on our kitchen wall.”

Lucy reckons that, if she was getting married at Escot herself, she’d really make the most of it, using all three rooms, the terrace and the gardens, and so giving space for older guests to have a sit down, while younger ones run around and let off steam.

“I love fairground stalls,” she says, “and a fun casino gives day guests something to do, and evening guests something to join in with as they arrive. Then, in the evening, I’d have a celidh, as it never fails to get everyone dancing. Oh, and I’d definitely use the Escot flagpole. We had a combination of the Stars and Stripes and Union Jack up there for one wedding. It really puts your stamp on the venue.”

To hire Escot runs around £6,000-£8,000, while the photo opportunities are endless.

“The terrace offers a view over the lake,” Lucy says, “and the garden is a photographer’s delight.

There are bridges, bluebell woods in May – and we’d love to see a couple on Segways cruising about. (We have them on site, if anyone is so inclined.) Perhaps the ultimate, though, would be to be photographed with wolves at the neighbouring attraction, Wildwood.”

Sounds very Game of Thrones!

“We wouldn’t advise going into the enclosure – well, not unless you want a very short marriage!” escot-devon.co.uk VOW | 5 9

THE VENUE

Rural W charm Dreaming of a relaxed wedding in Gloucestershire? The Barn is a new venue at Old Down Estate, and with its exposed stone walls, lovely old wooden beams and flagstone floors, is all geared up for a day to remember

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ith an elegant Victorian manor house at its heart, the Old Down Estate has long been synonymous with history and grandeur, home to well-connected city bankers, colonels, and – between 2004-2007 – Mike Oldfield, the musician behind Tubular Bells, credited with kick-starting the Virgin empire. Today, owners Arron and Katya Banks have invested heavily to restore the estate to its former splendour, and have redeveloped the country park into a tourist attraction, with the new barn venue the latest string to their burgeoning wedding offering.

“The Barn at Old Down Estate is located in beautiful, peaceful surroundings,” explains Lucy Hicks at the venue. “As well as choosing to say ‘I do’ inside with up to 70 guests, you can have an outdoor ceremony in our summer house, located in our Victorian walled garden.”

So, Lucy, what advice do you have for would-be couples looking at venues?

“It’s always important to ask how the day will flow, and the timings that they suggest,” she says, “and to understand what the venue provides. It would be awful if the venue didn’t offer a toastmaster service when you thought they did, for example. At Old Down we offer this as an in-house complimentary service from our banqueting team.”

o l d d o w n e s tat e

Picture by Laura Power

And while the barn venue is new, weddings with real wow factor have long been an important part of the offering here.

“Old Down Estate is the home of wedding excellence,” smiles Lucy, “and we strive to make all weddings and events a success. It helps, of course, that we’re based within a 66-acre estate with animals, so couples often find themselves having photos with the llamas, Shetland ponies and alpacas here.

“We love weddings where the couples enjoy spending time with their guests, and it’s great to see everyone happy and enjoying themselves. We’re also loving light-up letters at the moment, and are seeing a lot of rustic weddings using plenty of wood in the decorations, which suits the barn perfectly.”

With the walled garden making a great backdrop for photos, and the option to have an outdoor ceremony – Lucy would go for straw bales for seating, as she grew up on a farm – there are plenty of ways to tailor the venue to reflect your vision. It’s reasonable to hire, too, with prices for the barn starting at just £950.

“You don’t need to spend a lot of money on decoration,” says Lucy, “as the barn is so beautiful. We would, however, always recommend lots of food, and we can even offer a fudge table with homemade fudge from the Estate!” olddownestate.co.uk/weddings/

The Barn, with its high beams, bare stone walls, antler light fittings and endless rural details is the absolute epitome of good old ‘rustic luxe’

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T h e b ay t r e e

Romance in the stone Heaving with history, and boasting fabulously quirky features and bags of contemporary style, the Bay Tree hotel in Burford is one venue that’s all set to beguile at first sight

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o be found at the gateway to the Cotswolds, in the heart of Burford, The Bay Tree Hotel is one of those beautiful fudge-hued venues that would make the dreamiest of settings for anyone planning an intimate wedding.

“Draped in ancient wisteria, it’s full of history and charm, with a wealth of unique original features, from the solid oak front door to the stunning flagstone floors, roaring log fires and galleried staircase,” says Maureen Davis, wedding coordinator here. “The oldest part of the hotel dates back to 1565 and was the country home of Sir Lawrence Tanfield, Chief Baron of the Exchequer to Queen Elizabeth I. Another part of the hotel was the ‘Old Justice’ courthouse.”

For those looking to start the next chapter of their own story, The Bay Tree offers full exclusive use.

“Weddings here take over the whole hotel, including all 21 bedrooms, the bar, restaurant and

garden, creating an amazing ‘house party’ feel with lots of space for guests to enjoy themselves,” says Maureen. It also means the guys here are only looking after your wedding on the day. “All the staff are fully aware of the bride and groom’s wishes, and the management team are on hand to make sure all is going to plan, and can change things if needed.”

And what sort of wedding does Maureen love?

“Just ones where everyone is really enjoying themselves,” she says, “and not getting too hooked up on timings – go with the flow! Lots of couples are now opting for a more relaxed wedding breakfast, rather than a traditional sit-down meal. Some of our most popular requests at the moment are for sharing platters, barbecues and traditional afternoon tea, which I love! We provide brides and grooms with menu suggestions, but our chefs are very flexible and happy to work with other ideas where possible.”

When it comes to photos, there are plenty of gorgeous spots to capture the magic of the day.

“Outside we have a secret walled garden, which is manicured to perfection with an elegant summer house positioned right in the middle,” says Maureen.

“You can even get married here, if you wish! Lots of couples have photos at the front of the property to highlight the Cotswold stone and wisteria, and Burford High Street is just a minute’s walk away.

Inside, the photo opportunities are endless, but my favourite has to be the original galleried staircase.”

The beauty of an exclusive use wedding is that couples can also tailor the venue as much as they like – “we often see the area under the staircase becoming home to a sweetie table or photo booth, which is a great use of the space,” says Maureen – and there are a variety of areas licensed for the ceremony, as well as rooms for the wedding breakfast and after-party.

So, Maureen, how much will it set people back?

“Exclusive use weddings start from £6,700 but, as this includes all 21 bedrooms, couples can save money by asking their staying guests to contribute towards the cost.” Sounds like a pretty good deal to us! cotswold-inns-hotels.co.uk/the-bay-tree-hotel/ VOW | 6 3

LET’ S PART Y FOOD / MUSIC / CAKES / DRINKS / FUN

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l e t ’ s pa r t y

WORDS by Cl arissa Picot

Caravan of love PictureS by eggnogg

Want to keep the kids happy and entertained at your reception? (Yes, of course you do.) Then Bertha the Colour-in Caravan may be just the babysitter you need…

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ristol-based colouring-in specialists Eggnogg spend most of their time making fabric gifts – things like colour-in tablecloths and postcards for kids, which you can buy in places like John Lewis and Waterstones – but they’ve got something new for wedding receptions that’s really fun, too: Bertha the Colour-in Caravan, which can rock up to your venue and keep the little ones busy with the washable pens.

This cute little vintage caravan was rescued from a Brighton garden by Eggnogg designer and founder Kate Edmunds, where she spotted it looking neglected and rundown. Small enough to tuck into a corner at most wedding venues, and now restored, Bertha features colour-in wallpaper, table tops, seating and even curtains, not to mention a colourin picnic blanket and paper tablecloths to keep. There’s also a little picnic table and chairs, bunting and other decorations – and you can add extras like colour-in party bags and colourin fancy dress outfits. Bertha can be hired for the day or as a two-day weekend package – and yes, at least a couple of young ’uns can have a sleep-over in it, if they wish.

“The caravan provides the perfect focal point for kids,” Kate reckons. “They can relax inside for some colour-in fun, or spread out on the picnic blanket and table outside. It really couldn’t be easier.”

Prices are reasonable – for £300 you get Bertha for the day, complete with all the necessary kit and over £60 of pens, and adding another £100 gets you the weekend deal. Not bad for an old girl who’s become quite the minor superstar, appearing at West Country events like The Big Feastival and Kirstie Allsopp’s Handmade Fair, as well as on ITV’s Good Morning. eggnogg.co.uk

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Spar k ler s When you ’re touching me, baby, I see sparks

Picture by Liberty Pearl Photography

Traditions we love

Burning love The Chinese are credited with inventing fireworks, but sparklers have a different history, being an offshoot of handheld Roman candles invented by Byzantine chemist Callinicos of Heliopolis – also maker of the incendiary weapon ‘Greek Fire’ – around 670BC. These days sparklers tend to be a once-a-year sort of thing – Bonfire Night in the UK – but they also prove great fun at weddings, either in summer (when everyone’s outside until late) or winter (when

it’s dark before tea time). They make for a fab bride-and-groom send-off – or simply the background to a most photogenic kiss. Your snapper will love them; your little kid guests will adore them; and even your venue will appreciate them (as long as you’re not standing close to anything too flammable). Just remember not to let folk have too much to drink before the sparklers make their appearance. Kids’ toys or not, these things burn at over 1,000 degrees…

Next up: Vow returns on 24 November. And issue #16 is, amongst other things, a honeymoon special…

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BATH SPA HOTEL

The Macdonald Hotels’ Signature Collection

Perfect Weddings Macdonald Bath Spa is ideally located just outside the City Centre, set in seven acres of landscaped gardens, our sweeping drive leads you up to the stunning 18th Century Georgian property.

The stunning building has been lovingly nurtured over the decades to maintain its character and charm now offering the ideal wedding venue with the old ballroom Avon Suite perfect for a bustling celebration with �loor to ceiling windows perfect for an intimate affair with close friends and family • Beautiful landscaped gardens complete with pond, ideal for those perfect pictures • Wedding packages starting from £4000 based on 70 people • Reception drinks in the grounds • Four unique ceremony rooms to choose from small intimate ceremonies to grand celebrations including the Temple in the Gardens • Onsite Car parking • Facilities to cater from 2 to 120 For more information, or to make an appointment to view the property please contact our Wedding Co-ordinator on 01225 476892 or email specialevents.bathspa@macdonald-hotels.co.uk

M A C D O N A L D B AT H S PA H O T E L Sydney Road, Bath BA2 6JF 01225 444 424  www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk

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