“I used to secretly laugh at his jokes from across the office,” smiles Sian of her and Jack’s workplace romance. “We kept ‘accidentally’ going to make coffees at the same time and the rest is history!”
One Christmas Eve on Sian’s birthday, Jack treated her to dinner by Plymouth Hoe, creating an even greater sense of occasion by asking one poignant question. “We went for a post-dinner walk down by Smeaton’s Tower to look at the stars and, whilst I was busy trying to get my stargazing app to work on my phone, Jack suggested we sit for a moment on a bench…and then proceeded to pop the question! It was so dark outside I couldn’t even see the ring so, after enthusiastically saying ‘yes!’ I then ran up to the nearest lamppost to take a look at it!”
Hayne fulfilled their venue brief of “pretty with laidback vibes”, with the bonus that everything was in one location – and that they also provided the ceremony flowers from their own cutting garden. “I’ve always preferred wildflowers,” comments Sian. “Everyone got a bit emotional when the bouquets arrived in the morning – they were just so beautiful.”
Taking Sian’s favourite colour of periwinkle blue as the starting point, the wedding was planned “to feel informal, with a personalised twist”, explains Sian. “So we just tried to inject as many of our interests into the day as possible!” An illustrator in her spare time, Sian designed and created all the stationery herself, while her mum handmade the jam favours.
Opting for a garden ceremony, the couple exchanged vows before joining their guests for a feast in the barn. In keeping with the relaxed mood of the day, they chose picnic hampers brimming with local goodies (“that went down an absolute storm”) and arranged a cake table for dessert.
“Some guests even brought along their own bakes to add to the spread, which was such a lovely touch,” says Sian. “And we made sure there were cardboard takeaway boxes so guests could fill a box of goodies to enjoy on the taxi ride home too!”
A range of entertainment included two acoustic sets from their talented friend, Ezmay Grace, alongside a pub quiz and ice cream trike as guests revelled into the evening.
When asked to pick her favourite moment from the day, Sian is so spoiled for choice that she selects two. “Having our rescue golden retriever, Gus, with us on the day was absolutely amazing,” she says. “We booked A Pad 4 Paws as his dog chaperone for the day, and Pete did such an excellent job looking after our special boy. I made treat packets for our guests so that, if they saw Gus, they could give him a treat and a pat on the head – I’m so glad I decided to do this because everyone loved having an excuse to say hello to him!”
“As the weather was really touch-and-go, we didn’t think we’d actually be able to get married in the garden, so the most magical moment was when it all went ahead and we were stood with each other in that beautiful garden exchanging our vows,” reflects Sian.
“Stick to your vision and don’t let anyone else’s opinions dilute your day!” she adds as a note of advice.
Photography Grace Elizabeth grace-elizabeth.co.uk
Venue Hayne Devon haynedevon.co.uk
Dress Wed2B wed2b.com
Bridesmaids’ dresses ASOS asos.com
Flower girl’s dress JJ’s House jjshouse.co.uk
Groom’s outfit Prudence Gowns prudencegowns.com
Hair Hair by Hannah hairbyhannah.net
Make-up Justine Olver justineolver.co.uk
Flowers Milla at Hayne haynedevon.co.uk
Catering The Wild Picnic Company wildpicnics.co.uk
Two Scoops Tricycle instagram.com/twoscoopstricycle
Papavero Pizza Company papaveropizza.com
Entertainment Ezmay Grace ezmaygracemusic.co.uk
Dog chaperone A Pad 4 Paws padforpaws.co.uk
