Amie and Jack met through their mutual friends Hannah and Ben eight years ago. “We had the pleasure of being a groomsman and bridesmaid for them at their wedding earlier this year and then they repaid the favour!” says Amie. New Zealand set the spectacular scene for their engagement, with Jack getting down on one knee at a beach at the bottom of Mount Maunganui. “It was incredibly special – however you can’t say you got engaged on a mountain if you didn’t go up it, so we then had to go climb it!” she laughs.
Having initially considered marrying overseas, when the couple came across Gara Rock it was love at first sight. “It was the only venue we looked at; we loved the secluded hotel and beach, the décor and the incredible food!” she says. “We couldn't stop thinking about it and booked it a few days later knowing our spaniels, Millie and Jasper, could join us!”
The couple opted for exclusive use of the hotel for the weekend, meaning they could start the festivities with dinner and drinks on the Friday evening before Amie and her friends gathered at the on-site cinema to watch Bridesmaids in their pyjamas. “It was a brilliant way to spend the night before the wedding!” she says. “The wedding day goes so fast, so it was lovely to have the Friday evening catching up with some of our guests.”
Their late September wedding date inspired a palette of warm autumnal shades – incorporating lots of orange, which is Amie’s favourite colour – while the stationery nodded to the coastal location. The combination of wooden tables, glorious florals and gold candlesticks and table name frames made for stunning tablescapes.
Flanked by bridesmaids in burnt orange dresses, Amie donned a gorgeous minimalist, off-the-shoulder gown for the ceremony, when the couple exchanged their own vows before the south Devon seascape. “My childhood friend, Emmalene, read a poem by one of our favourite authors, Elizabeth Day, called Love is Not a Grenade,” she says. “And Jack’s friend, Ben, read a poem called The Giraffe and the Monkey by Daniel Thompson.”
Moving to the terrace for drinks served alongside ocean views, the newlyweds took some quiet moments to themselves to enjoy champagne and a sneak peek of the table set-up. “We wanted to do something personal for the place settings and decided on Polaroid photos for each guest,” says Jack. “It was lovely seeing everyone remembering when each was taken; it was also a good conversation starter!”
A feast including wild mushroom risotto, garlic-roasted Creedy Carver chicken breast served with various delicious sides and clotted cream crème brûlée with lemon Gara Rock shortbread went down an absolute treat.
As night fell, everyone gathered outside for a sparkler tunnel before Amie and Jack opened the dance floor to I Found You by Alabama Shakes performed by live band Sunny Roots. “It was so nice seeing out the night on the dance floor with our family and best friends dancing to our favourite songs,” says Jack.
Reflecting on their “amazing” day, Amie offers advice for brides and grooms-to-be. “Give yourself plenty of time and chip away at tasks as and when you can,” she recommends.
“We were lucky to have Gara Rock’s wedding planner, Simone, to help us with the organisation but if you don't have a planner, you can find lots of helpful checklists and templates online to help ensure you are considering everything!”
Photography Catherine Spiller catherinespiller.co.uk
Venue Gara Rock gararock.com
Planning Something Borrowed Weddings & Events instagram/something_borrowed_weddings_
Dresses Made With Love madewithlovebridal.com
Nadine Merabi nadinemerabi.com
Bridesmaids’ dresses Rewritten wearerewritten.com
Suits Clifton Suits cliftonsuits.co.uk
Ties & pocket squares Swagger & Swoon swaggerandswoon.com
Hair Ocean Waves Hairstyling oceanwaveshairstyling.com
Make-up Sophie May instagram.com/sophiemayfmua
Flowers Miranda Hackett mirandahackettflowers.co.uk
Entertainment Sunny Roots from Entertainment Nation entertainment-nation.co.uk
Dog chaperone A Pad 4 Paws & Co padforpaws.co.uk
