Her sister’s wedding day proved to be particularly special for Dani – for she met her future husband, Charlie, there! Some years after that momentous day, the couple were taking a walk along the estuary in their hometown when Charlie surprised Dani with a proposal as the sun was setting.
As planning began for their own wedding, there was one date that stood out to them: they wanted to get married on the anniversary of the day they met, seven years earlier.
Choosing a marquee wedding in the village of Ashcombe, Dani and Charlie’s styling theme was very simple, with lots of greenery and neutral tones, but as planning continued, the couple found themselves calling the theme Botanical and the Beast! “It was a joke, but we wanted to emulate the romantic setting of a grand ballroom that had been overgrown by nature,” says Dani. “We came up with all the styling ideas ourselves and then put together a mood board.”
The big day arrived and the sun shone on the happy couple as they were pronounced husband and wife at the village’s hilltop 12th century church. Dani wore a structured Jesus Peiro gown replete with deep V and trailing veil, while her bridesmaids brought the glitz in bejewelled champagne dresses and matching monogrammed clutch bags. Completing the glamorous picture, Charlie and his groomsmen looked dapper in tailcoats and top hats.
“After the ceremony, some guests walked down to the marquee on the green, as it was a beautiful day, and others took a ride in a spruced-up farmer’s trailer,” says Dani.
A drinks and canapé reception followed, with live music throughout the afternoon. Their location, on the village green in front of Ashcombe Village Club, meant the guests were in the perfect spot to enjoy some lawn games. Throwing themselves into cricket and boules, some friends and family even found a rope swing across the local stream.
The wedding breakfast, which included dishes such as spicy jackfruit pie and creamy coconut pie, led to the couple’s favourite moment. “We loved looking out from the top table and seeing all our friends and family having a great day in the sunshine!” recalls Dani.
As the sun went down, evening guests arrived to espresso martinis and mojitos, before the dancing began. Having taken lessons in the lead-up to their wedding, Dani and Charlie wowed their guests with a surprise first dance routine to Candy by Paolo Nutini. “We loved learning our first dance with Bernie at Teign Valley Dance and had so much fun dancing on the day!” says Dani.
“The party then kicked off with everyone on the dance floor and two massive sets from ska band, Ska Wars!” she continues. As darkness fell guests gathered around a firepit on hay bales and made their own s’mores: the perfect end to a fun-filled day.
And for those who are busily planning their own big day, Dani has some bride-to-bride advice. “Don’t worry about others’ expectations,” she says. “Enjoy the day doing it the way you want to!”
Photography Maxi Photography maxiphotography.com
Venue St Nectan’s Church & Ashcombe Village Club ashcombe-villageclub.co.uk
Marquee Hatch Marquee Hire southwestmarqueehire.co.uk
Dress Jesus Peiro jesuspeiro.com
Bridesmaids’ dresses Adrianna Papell adriannapapell.com
Suits Moss Bros moss.co.uk
Hair Energy Hair energyhair.com
Make-up Lucy Milton lucymilton.com
Flowers Sally Harris
Transport Elegant Arrivals elegantarrivals.uk
Dance lesson Teign Valley Dance teignvalleydance.co.uk
Cake Laura James, Elephant and Cake
Entertainment Dan Brock danbrockmusic.co.uk
Ska Wars skawars.net
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