A Tinder success story, Mel and Chris matched on the dating app in 2014 and enjoyed their first date at a cocktail bar in Wimbledon. Almost seven years later, Chris was insistent they both went for a walk along the South Downs coastal path, despite heavy winds and rain. “Luckily a break in the bad weather allowed enough time for us to walk along the top, take in the views and Chris caught me completely off guard, getting down on one knee in the muddy path and saying he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me,” recalls Mel. “It was a wonderful day!”
Although the couple live in Surrey, Devon holds a special place in both their hearts. “We've both spent lots of time holidaying in the South Hams in Devon and really love it there,” she says. When they set eyes on the secluded and beautiful setting of Shilstone House, they set about planning their UK destination wedding.
The couple blended boho and rustic elements with a classic mood and personal touches to create a strikingly beautiful wedding scene. A combination of dried and pink and green wildflowers complemented the lush country setting; the couple sat on bohemian peacock chairs decorated with flowers and guests scattered homemade pink confetti from friends’ and family’s rose bushes. “We wanted it to be relaxed, intimate and personal but also quite timeless and really special so we put a lot of thought into the little details,” explains Mel.
A cycling themed reading at the ceremony and bicycle bedecked with blooms nodded to Chris’s love of cycling. “Another personal touch was a reading from Everything I Know About Love, a modern take on a wedding poem that we felt captures our experience of love,” she says.
With Chris donning a grey velvet tuxedo jacket and black trousers and Mel dazzling in a gown by Made With Love, the couple took their vows in the walled garden in the September sunshine. “Arriving at the top of the steps and meeting each other's eyes for the first time, surrounded by our family and soaking in the sunshine, was a very emotional moment,” says Mel, reflecting on the couple’s standout memory. “We’d finally made it to the best day of our lives. We both felt elated with joy and love at the journey we were about to embark on.” They couldn’t stop smiling as they took their own handwritten vows and walked back down the aisle to Stevie Wonder’s Signed, Sealed, Delivered.
Saxophonist Daniel Costin had guests dancing in the sunshine during the drinks reception and performed one of the couple’s favourite songs – Jubel – for their jubilant entrance into the marquee. Everyone tucked into tomato bruschetta, chicken with pancetta breadcrumb and chocolate tart before the “brilliantly written, witty and personal speeches”.
After a loved-up stroll in the grounds during the golden hour, Mel and Chris’s first dance to Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac, performed by live band I Love Amp, kicked off a memorable evening party, with a ‘90s dance megamix set – complete with foam glow sticks – sending the dance floor wild.
Reflecting on their dreamlike day, Mel has some pragmatic advice for other couples. “Decide on your budget first – this will help determine your decision making,” she recommends. “Do your research and invest in suppliers who have a brilliant reputation and run like clockwork; they will make the whole experience personal and help you to seamlessly execute your vision!”
She adds: “On the day, what will be will be, soak it all up and enjoy every minute”.
Photography Abi Neda Riley abiriley.co.uk
Videography Last Minute Wedding Films lastminuteweddingfilms.co.uk
Venue, marquee & catering Shilstone House shilstonedevon.com
Dress Made With Love madewithlovebridal.com
Groom’s outfit Moss moss.co.uk
Bridesmaids’ dresses Rewritten wearerewritten.com
Hair & make-up Lisa Want Hair & Make-up lisawant.co.uk
Flowers Holly Bee Flowers hollybeeflowers.co.uk
Décor Out of the Ordinary Event Hire outoftheordinaryeventhire.com
Bike hire Daisy Daisy Vinatge Cycles daisydaisyvintagecycles.co.uk
Cake Sweet Buns Devon
Stationery Elle Bee Design ellebeedesign.co.uk
Entertainment Daniel Costin danielcostin.live
I Love Amp iloveamp.co.uk
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