Wedding at Southcombe Barn, Devon

Meeting at a climbing centre near their home in Hampshire, Alex plucked up the courage to say hello to Laura. “From that day on, we were inseparable as friends, heading out on climbing, hiking and wild camping adventures around Europe and the UK,” says Laura. “During this time, I fell in love with Alex’s zest for life and adventurous spirit.” The adventurous couple were on a camping trip in Chile when – with beautiful mountain peaks soaring above them – Alex got down on one knee and popped the question.

Having previously stayed at Southcombe Barn on Dartmoor – rather dreamily in a four-poster bed in a wildflower meadow – the couple asked the owners if they would be happy to host a small wedding. “We’re so glad they said yes!” says Laura.

As a small girl, Laura was inspired by the wedding scene in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and wove a ‘wild woodland’ and ‘wildflower meadow’ theme, reminiscent of the film, into the details of their day. Vashti from Southcombe Barn created the bouquet, table flowers and wooden arch using flowers and twine from the gardens.

Celebrating over three days, the guests arrived on Friday to lunch in the sunny meadow, followed by sauna, beers and swimming in the on-site wild swimming pond for the gents, and yoga, a gong bath, herbal tea and chocolate for the ladies. Rejoining for dinner in the beer garden at a nearby inn, the sun allowed them all to be outside for most of the day.

But the weather had other ideas on the wedding day. “It rained and it poured!” says Laura. “We were supposed to have an outdoor ceremony and dinner under tree canopies. But with last-minute changes, we still had the most magical day.”

The barn was decorated with wildflowers, candles and an aisle sprinkled with petals for the ceremony. With Laura’s “grumpy mini dachshund” acting as ring-bearer, the couple incorporated some very special meaning into their day. “Both of our dads have passed away but we made sure they were present: Alex’s ring was made from the gold of his dad’s wedding ring and my dad still got to walk me down the aisle. Before he passed away, he said: ‘Always look for me in the blackbirds, I’ll be there.’ I had a lovely clay blackbird nestled into the most beautiful bouquet to accompany me.”

Dinner was a rustic affair: guests enjoyed a selection of curries followed by a lemon cake in the barn, which was decorated with wildflowers from the garden, mismatched floral cutlery and cosy fur rugs on benches.

As the sun began to set, the newlyweds ventured onto Dartmoor’s rocky heights for photos. “The rain cleared and unveiled the most picturesque pink sky over the moors,” says Laura. “As magical as the whole day was, it was when we were up on the moors, balanced on rocks, and kissing in the wind that we felt most us.” Another magical moment was to come later that evening, after the couple had performed their well-practised first dance to Songbird by Eva Cassidy and a silent disco began around the firepit. “We loved dancing under the stars with our loved ones, we were all so full of joy! If you really want people to 'let go' and dance then we recommend a silent disco.”

Laura couldn’t recommend an intimate wedding more highly. “With 12 of us in total, it meant that we could spend quality time with each of our favourites on the day. It also meant that we got enough time together,” she says. “And other friends and family didn’t miss out – we threw a big garden party the following weekend when we got home.”