We recently hosted the most gorgeous wedding of Tim and Anne. Tim is from Canada and so had family and friends flying in and 2 of the bridesmaids flew in from Brazil and Ireland. So all in all an international celebration.
They had some wonderful ideas for keepsakes, from the wedding guest finger print tree above to....
these anniversary bottles. Guests write messages and put them in a bottle for you to read on your anniversary. What a lovely thing to read messages from your wedding on your 20th Anniversary!!
These gorgeous hearts hung in the windows and the jars were hand tied around the outside with jute string. These jars on the windowsills were designed to hold the bridesmaid's bouquets.
These simple decoration details allowed an undisturbed view of the garden in the day, whilst in the evening (as you will see later) they gave the most gorgeous candlelight.
Each table was named after a place from their travels together. You can really see the work that went into these jars for the flowers.
This was a brilliant idea! A site called 'wedpics' allows all of your wedding guests to upload their photos directly from their phone using an app (or from your computer later). Their suggestions in the form of a 'photo scavenger hunt' gave everyone lots of ideas for photos to upload.
Tim especially loves his coffee and each man at the wedding was given a bag of his favourite coffee beans as a favour. The most wonderful aromas exuded from the bags around the room.
The tables looked gorgeous. I loved the hessian table runner and the slice of tree trunk under the flowers and candles. It all gave a rustic, relaxed light feel.
At the beginning of last year we teamed up with the amazing shoe designer Emmy Scarterfield of 'Emmy' shoes. We gave a pair of Emmy shoes to brides who booked at the designer wedding fair. So here are Anne's gorgeous 'Emmy' shoes. I am so jealous as they are completely lovely!! Anne was delighted with them and said the whole experience of choosing them made you feel very special and treated. Thank you Emmy!!
The bride and groom 'chick' motif were a little extra theme and appeared on all the stationary even the door signs (and later the cake).
The fabulous bouquets, button holes and corsages were by Kelly from 'Offshore Blooms'.
So with everything ready it is time for the men to have a 'scotch' and steady the nerves!!
Croquet provided a welcome distraction in the build up to the ceremony (and I'm sure the Scotch helped give a steady hand!?)
Anne looked so beautiful in her dress... last buttons and she is ready for her 'first glance' photos.
A tradition from across the pond 'first glance' photos are done before the ceremony. We cleared the garden of guests and Anne and Tim met for the first time on their wedding day. It was so so romantic and they loved having that bit of time together to connect before the ceremony. A great idea that I think needs to become a new British tradition.
After hoping for an outside ceremony and much moving in and out of chairs the naughty drizzly rain brought us inside. Despite Anne and Tim's aspirations to be outside, the gorgeous view and the woodland stumps down the aisle truly brought the outside in. The atmosphere was warm and intimate.
There was not a dry eye in the house. The mums read a poem together, which was very moving, and then Tim and Anne did their own vows. Oh gosh so many emotions! Love, laughter, intimacy and true friendship were all so evident, wow!
The very happy couple as confetti rains from above.
JJ, the MC for the day, did a splendid job and looked the part in his kilt.
Dinner time!! Linzi, Anne's friend who is a baker, made these utterly delicious and beautiful macaroons as the table plan.
I will just take this opportunity to introduce Joseph Yarrow, their lovely and very talented photographer. He previously photographed Kat and James's wedding at Pickwell and we were delighted to have him back. James gave me some very helpful photography tips, one of which was to always wipe my iphone lense. Ironically in this photo I clearly didn't and it has a visible smear.....I feel ashamed!!
Crab tower starter, mmmm!!
Then onto Devon beef (or pan seared salmon) with vegetable bundles and dauphinoise potatoes. I am feeling hungry just looking at the photos!! I need to thank Patrick Kua for all of the best photos on this blog post. He was one of the guests and a brilliant photographer (check out his blog at http://www.thekua.com/rant/)
The speeches were hilarious. I love it when bridesmaids give a speech, as it is good to hear some extra funny stories about the bride too!!
Then outside for Eaton Mess on the terrace...
followed by coffee by candlelight and an amazing Canadian biscuit called 'Naniamo Bars' (Lee our chef followed Tim's recipe). It was delicious, a bit like caramel shortbread with a chocolate coconut base, yum!!
Whilst the guests finished their pudding, the bridal party headed to the footpath for photos with a backdrop of the sea including panoramic views of Hartland to Morte Point and Lundy Island. Later they had these rather dramatic photos taken on the way back up the drive.
Cutting the cake kicked off the evening celebrations.
Anne loves cheese and this cheese cake was magnificent. Local cheeses specially selected by Lee (our chef), topped with the cutest bride and groom chicks....
and little pottery mice.
Another mouth watering photo by Patrick!
The ballroom looked magical and cosy in the candlelight.
JJ hits the dance floor with kilt a twirling!!
A thoughtful and kind gesture to tired feet!
So many were very grateful and looked fab!!
Anne and Tim what lovely friends and family you have!! Such a gorgeous weekend, we so enjoyed having your wedding at Pickwell Manor!!
