The pressure of completing their PhDs proved a bonding experience for Megan and Lydia. “We shared an office and shared many a tea break to get through the stress of writing a thesis!” laughs Megan.
While Megan bought a ring during the middle of lockdown with the intention of proposing during the couple’s annual trip to Malham Cove, she “got too excited and impulsively whipped out the ring just after putting up our Christmas tree”, reveals Lydia.
The couple began planning their intimate wedding at Ever After on the edge of Dartmoor. “It was the perfect venue for us as we were able to keep the day super small with some of our favourite people and every aspect could be personalised to us,” says Megan.
Their shared vision for the flowers was the starting point for the day’s styling. “The only thing we knew we wanted was fun, rustic and colourful flowers (without being garish!), which influenced many of the decisions we had to make around colour,” explains Lydia.
A gorgeous medley of peonies, hyacinths, hydrangeas and eucalyptus carried from the bouquets to the wedding arch. “We were absolutely over the moon with the outcome!” says Megan.
When it came to the décor, the couple wanted to add as many personal touches as possible, including “personalised candles made with dates, our new surname and ‘in jokes’ between the two of us”, says Lydia.
Shopping for their dresses separately, the couple kept their choices a surprise from each other until their ‘first look’. Emotions ran high during the ceremony, which included a moving Celtic poem, before the newlyweds took a stroll through the picturesque grounds for photos. “Lydia pulling out miniature bottles of prosecco from the (giant) pockets of her wedding dress during our photos was one of my favourite moments of the day!” laughs Megan.
Celebrating with five loved ones, they sat down for a feast that was inspired by the food the couple feasted on the night of their engagement. “We had started roasting butternut squash for a squash and blue cheese risotto – but got engaged and ended up burning the squash!” says Lydia. “This was the inspiration for our butternut squash arancini with blue cheese dipping sauce. On the night we got engaged, instead of risotto, we ended up with Mexican takeaway, so this inspired our taco canapés!”
Continuing the evening with a cheeseboard and a passion fruit martini cake – “We couldn’t decide between a fruity cake and a boozy cake!” – the couple’s unofficial maid of honour started a round of impromptu speeches, which made everyone cry.
Reflecting on their day, the couple recommend booking a venue that “can recommend an excellent team of wedding vendors,” says Megan. “While we were free to find our own suppliers, the venue was able to suggest some wonderful creatives who they had worked with previously. Seeing lots of pictures and accounts of their great work while knowing we could tailor everything to our preferences really took the pressure off!”
Photography Clare Kinchin Photography clarekinchinphotography.co.uk
Venue Ever After lowergrenofen.co.uk
Dresses Sincerity Bridal from Laura Jane Bridal laurajanebridal.com
Hera Couture from The Aisle theaisle.online
Hair Jodie Brent at The Hair Lounge thehairloungetavistock.co.uk
Make-up Jess at No.5 Aesthetic & Beauty Clinic no5beautyclinic.co.uk
Cake Boo to a Goose bootoagoose.net
Flowers Lizzie Watts
