Their wedding ceremony took place at Kentisbeare Church in the village where Carina grew up, adding a great sense of poignancy to the day. "My mum goes to the church so it was very much a community affair with her friends singing in the choir and putting together all my church flowers, which made it very personal and special," explains Carina.
Having selected a fairytale theme with a pale pink colour scheme, the reception venue proved a perfectly fitting choice. "Powderham Castle was the most stunning of venues I could ever have hoped for," says Carina. "I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it and it definitely fitted my dream of a big princess wedding!"
Her bridal gown, a full-skirted confection of tulle, also fitted her fantasy - and venue - perfectly. "My sister who is a jewellery designer made me two stunning hair clips to go in each side - it was lovely wearing something she had made."
Guests enjoyed drinks, canapes and a guitar soundtrack in the Rose Garden overlooking the estuary before the speeches were served, which included a self-penned poem from Carina to Simon celebrating their decade together. "Carina's speech was a total surprise - it was a cute, cleverly written poem that had everyone laughing and crying," recalls Simon.
Powderham's Music Room was the spellbinding setting for the wedding breakfast, where the tables were adorned with silver candelabras woven with plump white and pink roses, ivy and gypsophelia. Guests tucked into the sumptuous likes of pea and asparagus tart and chicken in pancetta stuffed with spinach in a lemon cream sauce. A trio of desserts: a brandy snap basket with summer fruits and cream, lemon posset with a mini shortbread biscuit and chocolate mousse in an edible cup - as well as a show-stopping six-tier cheese wedding cake - completed the fabulous feast.
The Indie Killers kept the party in full swing throughout the evening, which culminated in a special sparkler send-off for the newly-weds.
"The whole day was amazing but the speeches were my favourite part as they were so personal and special," reveals Simon. "The whole room is behind whoever is speaking and it is such a fun atmosphere."
Carina concludes with some wise words for busily planning couples: "Even if you are going for a traditional wedding like we did, that doesn't mean you can't go less traditional where you want to - like with me and my sister giving speeches - just mix and match whatever feels best for you!"
Photography Rosie Windsor www.rosiewindsor.co.uk
Venue Kentisbeare Church and Powderham Castle www.powderham.co.uk
Dress Sottero and Midgley at All That Glitters www.sotteroandmidgley.com
Bridesmaids' dresses David's Bridal www.davidsbridal.co.uk
Hair and make-up Changing Faces www.changingfaces.net
Groom's outfit Ted Baker at Moss Bros www.mossbroshire.co.uk
Flowers Poppy's of Exeter www.poppysofexeter.co.uk
Transport Crispin Private Hire www.crispinprivatehire.co.uk
Catering Ashley Percy at Cottage Caterers www.keeperscottageinn.co.uk
Entertainment The Indie Killers www.theindiekillers.com
Copyright Wed magazine 2015
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