Real Wedding at The Rill Estate, Devon

"It was love at first sight," says Katy of the moment she and Chris first locked eyes across a crowded dance floor on a night out. It was during one of their trips to Malaysia that Chris's carefully planned proposal took place. They were standing on the sky-bridge of the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur when he dropped onto one knee and popped the question. "It was the most romantic gesture he has ever made and means so much as Kuala Lumpur has always been a very special place for us," comments Katy.



The Rill Estate in Buckfastleigh made for their dream venue. "When we went to visit for the first time, we fell in love," Katy explains. A timeless style defined the details of their wedding. "We wanted something that wouldn't age and would fit in with the rural location as well as the beautiful building," she continues. Selecting a vintage theme with neutral tones, the venue was decorated with white lace paper bunting, heart-shaped decorations on the walls, cream candelabras and enamel jugs filled with meadow grasses and flowers.



The floral arrangements of chrysanthemums, freesias, alstroemeria and roses in muted tones of cream, white and green tastefully reflected the aesthetic. With many of the details being handmade, an assortment of vintage photo frames mounted on a board made for a striking table plan, while the table numbers comprised folded cards with the menu printed inside along with a personal message to each individual guest. "The feedback was brilliant. Everyone loved them," says Katy.



Katy made a stunning statement as she walked down the aisle in her show-stopping Sposa Sposa dress, flanked by her bridesmaids dressed in mink brown chiffon.

Sparkling cider and canapes in the courtyard preceded the wedding breakfast - a feast comprising dishes from lemon and herb rubbed chicken to hot chocolate fondant - provided by Dartmoor Kitchen. Six-piece band Dave Can't Dance played an eclectic repertoire of '70s and '80s funk and soul to a packed dance floor for the evening reception.



"The whole day was a series of wonderful moments but a definite highlight was our first kiss as husband and wife," recalls Katy. "It was like something from a movie as he tilted me backwards. The registrar said it was the most impressive kiss she had ever witnessed at a ceremony!"



She adds some important words of advice: "I think it's easy for brides to forget that the groom is also involved in the wedding! Chris and I talked about what we wanted and our expectations and negotiated over things to make sure we were both happy. It was perfect."



The venue
The Rill Estate, Buckfastleigh
01364 643065 www.rillestate.co.uk

The dress
Sposa Sposa from Dizzie Lizzie Couture, Torquay
01803 296197 www.dlcouture.com

The flowers
Dutch Quality Flowers, Totnes
01803 840436 www.dutchqualityflowers.com

Photography
Harrera Images
07795 608941 www.harreraimages.co.uk


Copyright WED Magazine 2012