India and Matt first locked eyes in their local beer garden on a sunny August afternoon. “At the time I was living in York as a student and was down in Devon on holiday,” explains India. “One of our favourite bands was playing and we happened to be dancing on the same table! After the band had finished, we bonded over our love of music, life and Jägermeister!”
On their fourth anniversary, Matt asked India to join him for a boat ride. “He said that we were going to be meeting some of our friends on a nearby beach,” she smiles. “When we were approaching the beach, Matt pointed out something on the cliff face: a beautiful sign reading ‘Will you marry me?’” After dropping to one knee, Matt sounded the horn on the boat and the couple’s friends let off celebratory fireworks from the beach. “We popped champagne and celebrated all night!”
Powderham Castle provided the “many beautiful spaces to personalise the weekend”, explains India. “We loved the fact you could stay the night before the wedding to get set up and come together with friends and family.” The décor was kept simple and elegant with candles and an abundance of David Austin roses, garden roses, hydrangea, eucalyptus and gypsophila in shades of white, pale pink and green.
Glorious sunshine meant their vision of an al fresco ceremony in the Rose Garden became a beautiful reality, providing India with a memory she’ll never forget. “Walking down the aisle to our singer Ollie Stephens’ version of Firestone by Kygo, the most crazy feelings and emotions going on – I've never felt anything like it. It was just phenomenal,” she reflects.
A confetti throw was followed by drinks and canapés in the Rose Garden to a stripped-back dance soundtrack by Ollie. The wedding breakfast presented the likes of prawn cocktail, pulled pork scotch egg, seared sea bass fillet, breast of chicken and root vegetable galette. A ‘taste of the seaside trio', comprising a beach ball of salted caramel chocolate mousse, sandcastle of strawberry and clotted cream panna cotta, and a mini cone of prosecco ice cream, rounded off the feast in style.
Guests returned to the Rose Garden for drinks and garden games before the newlyweds ventured into the grounds for photos during the golden hour. “We had so much fun doing this and it was so lovely to have some quality time enjoying our day and each other,” she reminisces.
Kick-starting the party with their first dance, a live band entertained guests all night, with a brief intermission for sparklers overlooking the deer park at sunset. Then came the time for one of India’s most memorable moments. “Changing dresses!” she exclaims. “I surprised everyone for the band’s second set by changing into the incredible short and sparkling Luv Dress by Milla Nova ready to party and dance the night away!”
When asked for her top piece of advice, India insists: “Don’t try and talk to everyone – it’s your day. We spent all night on the dance floor and had the best time celebrating with our friends and family, we didn't miss a thing!”
Photography Laura Dean lauradeanphotography.com
Venue Powderham Castle powderham.co.uk
Dress Essense of Australia & Milla Nova from Ivory White Bridal ivorywhitebridal.co.uk
Accessories Victoria Percival victoriapercival.com
Shoes Charlotte Mills charlottemills.com
Suits Moss Bros. moss.co.uk
Ties Suit Direct suitdirect.co.uk
Hair Natalie Nichols natalienichols-bridal.com
Make-up Emmie Green emmieemua.book.app
Flowers Poppys Flower Studio poppysflowerstudio.co.uk
Catering Posh Nosh posh-nosh.co.uk
Pizzas Ad’s Pizzas adspizzas.com
Cake Claire Arscott Cake Design clairearscottcakedesign.co.uk
Stationery Ivy & Gold ivyandgold.co.uk
Signage Strand Designs Devon instagram.com/stranddesignsdevon
Ice buckets Total Event Hire totaleventhire.co.uk
Entertainment Ollie Stephens thedevonweddingsinger.co.uk
Double A & The Bay daatb.com
Videography Pura Vida Cornwall puravidacornwall.com
Transport Baytree Cars baytreecars.com
