However, the snowfall very nearly called a halt to proceedings when Victoria received a phone call from the registrar to say she was snowed in and unable to reach Langdon Court. "Thankfully a different registrar made it and gave us the most beautiful service."
Victoria wore a dramatic Justin Alexander gown. Her bouquet of black calla lilies was tailor-made by a good friend who worked tirelessly to decorate the reception room according to Victoria's ideas. "This included sourcing and painting a tree," she says.
As her father lives in Australia, Victoria's mother gave her away, while her sister and the couple's young daughter Violet walked in front of them up the aisle. "My mum's partner Vincent read the poem 'Love Defined' by Matt Dubois and the registrar read 'The Hands'." Victoria and James then ventured out into the snow for photographs - the bride accessorising her dress with a pair of wellies - and then it was back to the warmth of the open fires and the elegantly decorated reception room for the wedding breakfast.
The menu was a festive affair: a warming curried parsnip soup and a traditional Christmas turkey dinner followed by white chocolate cheesecake. Guests supped on pink bubbly and cherry Bellinis and snacked on baby mince pies throughout the day.
Live band 'Filthy Gorgeous' made it through the heavy snow and icy roads to provide the evening entertainment. "We danced the night away and had a lovely time," Victoria enthuses.
"Our main tip would be to relax," she adds. "We planned our wedding from start to finish in under five months and it all went perfectly. We sat back, enjoyed the day and allowed ourselves to absorb it. We didn't do everything by the book, but that really worked for us and many people told us it was the best wedding they had ever been to."
The venue
Langdon Court, Down Thomas
01752 862358 www.langdoncourt.com
The dress
Justin Alexander from Prudence Gowns, Plymouth
01752 558858 www.prudencegowns.com
The flowers
Watts Florist, Plymouth
01752 403617 www.hwattsflorist.co.uk
Photography
Younger Photography
01752 300636 www.youngerphotography.com
Copyright WED Magazine 2011
