Annabelle and Daniel met while studying optometry at Cardiff University. After three years of lectures and labs together, romance blossomed during their final exams in their third year. “By graduation, we had not only our degrees but also each other – with jobs waiting for us back in our home county of Devon,” says Annabelle.
Daniel’s hopes for a romantic sunrise proposal at Torr Head in Northern Ireland were dashed by the weather. “We seized a brief five-minute break in the rain, making the moment all the more memorable,” he says. “Overlooking the view of Scotland just 12 miles away, it was a perfectly imperfect setting for such a special moment.”
The search began for a venue and, on discovering Hareston Manor, the couple were enchanted by the idyllic manor house location amidst the rolling hills of the South Hams. The setting inspired their colour scheme of rich rust tones paired with earthy moss green. “We loved how the combination perfectly complemented the natural beauty of the surroundings,” says Annabelle. “As a couple who enjoys spending time outdoors, it felt only right to choose a palette that reflected the natural scenery of Devon, bringing a touch of the outdoors into our day.”
Gorgeous florals carried the palette perfectly, while the tipi was dressed with foliage, bunting, potted plants, stems in glass bottles, natural cheesecloth runners and tapered candles.
A semi-naked cake made by a friend adorned with flowers grown in her garden added a personal and pretty touch, while bridesmaids in rust and moss green satin dresses and groomsmen in natural linen suits completed the rustic picture.
Annabelle and Daniel took their vows al fresco, with the frontage of the 14th century manor house, festooned with flowers, as their backdrop. Celebratory drinks and canapés in the grounds followed before everyone settled in the tipi for the newlyweds’ entrance to Celebration by Kool & the Gang. “It was a moment full of joy and happiness. In all the excitement, Daniel spun me round, forgetting all about the train on my dress!” laughs Annabelle. “His enthusiasm almost sent him flying but, after a quick recovery, the celebrations went on, leaving us with an unforgettable memory.”
Sharing boards of burrata, mozzarella, prosciutto and griddled grapes did the rounds to start, followed by slow-cooked Devon lamb with lemon and rosemary gel, warm flatbreads and sides. Rich chocolate and orange brownie and limoncello, lemon curd and blueberry tiramisu provided the delectable finish. “The shared platters helped create a social atmosphere, perfectly complementing the rustic vibe of the day,” says Daniel.
In the evening, a ceilidh band got everyone on their feet for fun-filled antics on the dance floor, while rustic pizzas fuelled the festivities. “It was great to see everyone on the dance floor enjoying themselves and having a great time,” he says.
“The whole day really did exceed all expectations,” says Annabelle, reflecting on their celebrations. “The feeling of being able to see everyone you love in one place celebrating your love for each other is unmatched and we will truly treasure the memory of this for a lifetime.”
As for advice, she suggests drawing inspiration from weddings you have attended. “Think about what made them memorable. Remember it’s a day to celebrate you, so focus on what will make it uniquely yours as a couple,” she advises. “Also, try to spread out the planning so it doesn’t hit you all at once; this really helped us make it into an enjoyable process and stopped us getting too overwhelmed.”
Photography Jay Bing jaybing1@icloud.com
Venue Hareston Manor harestonwedding.co.uk
Dress The Wedding Company the-wedding-company.co.uk
Bridesmaids’ dresses Six Stories sixstories.co.uk
Suits Hawes & Curtis hawesandcurtis.com
M&S marksandspencer.com
Hair Anna, The Lighthouse Hair instagram.com/anna_thelighthousehair
Make-up Lucy K instagram.com/lucykmua
Flowers Thorn Flowers thornflowers.uk
Catering Titley Green titleygreen.co.uk
Entertainment The Antler Ceilidh Band antlerceilidh.com
