With perhaps an insight into the future, Kiera and Ioan were dressed all in white when they met at a white-themed party on a Greek island. Back in England, their long-distance relationship flourished, and Kiera moved from Lincolnshire to join Ioan in Devon in 2017. Ioan got down on one knee to propose during a holiday in Cyprus at the top of Pathos Castle during sunset, with a view of the ocean. “The best moment ever!” says Kiera.
As soon as they set eyes on Harefield Barn, they knew it would be a dream setting for their wedding. “The views and scenery were simply breathtaking and proved to be even more beautiful on the big day,” says Ioan. Choosing a minimalist theme of white and neutral colours, black accents made a style-pleasing statement, together with a series of personal touches as water art cocktail images for the table names - "Ioan is known for making a mean cocktail!" says Kiera.
Flowers by Ioan’s mum made for “incredible centrepieces”, with a trailing bouquet of orchids, peonies, roses, lisianthus and berries, while hydrangeas and larkspur also featured in the floral arrangements, as well as lush foliage including soft ruscus, eucalyptus, thlaspi and fragrant rosemary.
The day began with Kiera’s bridesmaids and bridesman joining her for mimosas as they all got ready… with one slight mishap! “It was my turn in the chair, ready to be glammed up, when I heard a gasp,” says Kiera. “My bridesmaid’s dress had torn right down the side! Deborah, the owner of Harefield Barn, saved the day and sewed my bridesmaid back into her dress... just in time for the ceremony!”
With her mum and dad walking her down the aisle, Kiera remembers the “heart-stopping” moment of seeing her husband-to-be, as The Swing Kings sang Shania Twain’s From This Moment. “You suddenly forget everyone else is there and it is just the two of you together in that moment,” she reminisces.
It was a similarly standout moment for Ioan, who felt the sense of occasion hit him, despite having been “cool as a cucumber” all morning. “All I remember is a flood of emotions hitting me in one go,” he says. “It was a really special moment for me seeing Kiera, beautiful as ever.”
After the ceremony overlooking miles of rolling hills, guests enjoyed canapés and Pimm’s while The Swing Kings and magician Dan Brazier provided the entertainment.
The views also took centre stage during the wedding breakfast, when guests tucked into dishes such as chicken liver parfait, slow-roast Venn Farm pork belly and chocolate torte amongst gorgeous florals framing the countryside beyond.
“Our first dance was to a rendition of Can’t Stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake; we slowed down the song to walk into and have that moment together, followed by everyone joining us on the dance floor to begin the party!” says Kiera.“We spent the evening dancing away with our nearest and dearest to great music including Kiera's all-time favourite... ABBA!” adds Ioan.
“The entire day was incredible and we would love to do it all over again in a heartbeat. It felt heartwarming to have all the people we love so dearly, all in one place,” says Kiera. “Our words of advice to other couples would be to simply enjoy your day,” she says.
“Relax, don't worry about the tiny things that may not go how you expect, and embrace every second. It was simply the best day of our lives together and we felt like we were in a magical bubble together.”
Photography Danielle Veitch danielleveitch.com
Venue Harefield Barn harefieldbarn.co.uk
Dress Richard Designs from La Boutique laboutique.org.uk
Suit Zebel Bespoke zebel.co.uk
Hair Cindy Beddard cindybeddardbridalhair.co.uk
Make-up Liza Hayward instagram.com/_makeup_by_liza_
Flowers Gill Clavey at The Mossy Twig
Catering Lap Food and Bars lapfoodandbars.co.uk
Arch Unique Designs by Tina uniquedesignsbytina.com
Videography Moments to Media momentstomedia.com
Cake Emily Clegg instagram.com/cleggemily
Stationery Prim instagram.com/prim.events Mally’s Crafts mallyscrafts.co.uk
Entertainment Dan Brazier danbrazier.com
The Swing Kings theswingkings.co.uk
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