"I proposed on a very blustery evening in September in north Devon," he reveals. "Baggy Point was one of the highlights of my first visit to meet Steph's parents seven years previously. The headland point is stunning, regardless of the weather, which is good as when I proposed the weather was so bad that other walkers (and most of the sheep) turned back, which meant we had the whole place to ourselves!"
Opting for an extended, three-day celebration at Bridwell Park, the couple hosted a relaxed wedding while enjoying precious time with their nearest and dearest. "Whilst a spectacular example of a country house, its owner Lord Ivar Mountbatten and the Bridwell team were incredibly flexible and laid-back, which made it truly feel like a home-from-home for the entire weekend," says Nick.
Their rustic celebration incorporated a number of personal props such as Steph's old ponies tack and the yard gate. "This made the day even more special," says Steph. The flowers proved a particular talking point: a combination of floristry by Rozi's Posies and green-fingered family and friends allowed the venue to be beautifully bedecked with blooms. "Everywhere from the entrance gates to every surface possible had colour and life!" says Steph. "It would not have been possible without our industrious family and friends who were also up for the fun and work needed to bring this vision to life."
Following the ceremony, everyone tucked into fizz and canapes in the sunshine before settling in the Orangery for a two-course 'rustic table'. The menu was specially crafted to reflect both local cuisine and guests' tastes, featuring lemon and sage roasted chicken, slow-roast pork belly and a selection of savoury tarts. "The sharing element worked really well and was really sociable, with guests getting stuck in and electing people on each table to carve and serve the dishes. It also meant we didn't have the added challenge of taking meal requests as guests could help themselves to what they fancied on the day," explains Nick.
Lawn games including tug-o-war and an egg and spoon relay, as well as an apple press, provided oodles of fun ahead of an evening filled with dancing courtesy of the "incredible" Bill Ding and the Skyscrapers.
"Get the big stuff booked up early - venue, catering, photographer. This means you can then relax and take your time organising the smaller, fun bits," announces Nick as his number one planning tip. "If someone recommends a good band, take their advice and go for it. We did this and it was one of the best decisions we made!" he adds.
"Take pictures of the little bits of prep, of the silly dresses and the failed calligraphy during the build-up to the wedding," advises Steph. "The wedding day itself is incredible but the fun and memories you'll make with loved ones during the run-up are invaluable too. We wish we could do it every year!"
Photography Jennifer Jane Photography jenniferjanephotography.co.uk
Venue Bridwell Park bridwell.co.uk
Styling The Little Wedding Helper littleweddinghelper.co.uk
Dress St Patrick from Timeless Elegance Bridal timelesselegancebridal.co.uk
Bridesmaids' dresses Dessy from Timeless Elegance timelesselegancebridal.co.uk
Groom's outfit Moss Bros moss.co.uk
Hair Laura Bukin Hair laurabukinhair.epageuk.com
Make-up Genevieve Satha Makeup genevievesatha.co.uk
Flowers Rozi's Posies Wedding and Events Florist rozisposies.wixsite.com/weddingflorist
Catering Posh Nosh posh-nosh.co.uk
Wine & beer Majestic Wines majestic.co.uk
Cake The Cupcakery facebook.com/thecupcakerybarnstaple
Entertainment Bill Ding and the Skyscrapers bdsmusic.uk
Copyright Wed magazine 2019
