Jenn and Molly first met each other at work. “Molly proposed in one of our favourite places on Dartmoor on the most perfect sunny day,” reminisces Jenn. “The easiest ‘yes’ there’s ever been!”
Opting for a beautifully pared-back aesthetic featuring shades of sage and olive green, The Oak Barn provided the charming backdrop to their rustic style celebrations. “We didn’t want anything shiny and glitzy. We wanted a vintage, rustic feel throughout,” explains Jenn.
Sourcing and making much of the décor themselves lent a lovingly homemade feel to the day. A selection of bottles, candles and flowers were used to create the centrepieces, while also providing the pair with fond memories that they still cherish today. “We spent the day with some special friends digging the bottles from a river and cleaning them,” reveals Molly. “It was so special knowing so many people had contributed to making the day exactly as it was, and that there was a story behind all the different details.”
Opting for an early ceremony meant that the couple were able to maximise their celebrations in this idyllic corner of Devon. “We wanted to make the most of every minute,” says Jenn. “It meant nothing was rushed and we could cherish every part of the day!”
The drinks reception and speeches preceded the wedding breakfast. “It set a great atmosphere for the dinner and also meant those giving speeches could enjoy their speeches without worrying,” says Molly. “There was also no awkwardness over when the meal finished and the speeches started; it all flowed perfectly.”
Mediterranean sharing starters primed palates for chicken stuffed with woodland mushroom and garlic confit wrapped in bacon. For dessert, everyone gathered in the gardens for ice cream served from a trike. “Everyone enjoying ice cream in the sun was exactly the relaxed atmosphere we wanted to create before the party started!” explains Jenn. A pizza van and band kept evening guests well fed and entertained as they danced into the early hours, leaving Jenn and Molly utterly elated while looking back upon their day.
“We spent so long thinking of every single tiny thing and seeing it all come together on the day was so much more special than anything we could have imagined,” says Jenn, who pauses before relaying one of her favourite moments.
“Walking in to Love Takes Over with everyone dancing and clapping and cheering will be a memory we will treasure forever! We also love looking back at the photos of us walking through the confetti: there are so many happy faces and people we love all in one place.”
“Don’t spend lots of money on things you could make or buy secondhand for a fraction of the price,” she shares as one of her top tips. “Ask your friends and family to come and help you all on one day – be organised with assigning jobs and you can get so much done so quickly.”
Photography Josh Iskander Photography joshiskanderphotography.com
Venue The Oak Barn theoakbarn.co.uk
Dresses Champagne & Charlotte champagneandcharlotte.co.uk
Bridesmaids’ dresses Kates Dresses katesdresses.co.uk
Flower girls’ dresses Monsoon monsoon.co.uk
Hair Iconic Hair and Makeup iconic-hairandmakeup.co.uk
Make-up Nadia Hope MUA instagram.com/nadiahopemua
Crockery Abbotts Event Hire abbottseventhire.co.uk
Catering & glassware Posh Nosh posh-nosh.co.uk
Flowers Julie Illsley
Tables and chair hire Virginias Vintage Hire virginiasvintagehire.co.uk
Ice cream trike Icicle Tricycle icicletricycle.co.uk
Entertainment South West Band southwestband.co.uk