Michelle's Claire Pettibone gown elegantly set the tone; "I wanted something that wasn't princess-like or too structured - and something I could clamber on and off boats in and barn dance in!" says Michelle. She teamed the gown with a relaxed hand-tied bouquet. "I wanted them to look like I might have collected them from an English country garden or a Devon country lane verge," she says.
Following the ceremony at The Royal Castle Hotel in Dartmouth, where the couple exchanged self-penned vows, the newly-weds jumped aboard Greenway Ferries' World War Heritage Ship, Fairmile, where the party started in style. "It has a 1920s' bar and we had Prosecco and canapes while a live jazz band played, to which Gary and I had our first dance to 'Bring Me Sunshine' by Eric Morecombe and Ernie Wise," says Michelle.
Docking at the holiday home of Agatha Christie, Greenway House, guests were then ferried across the river in small groups to the Ferry Boat Inn where they supped on Pimm's and ale before wandering to the marquee site at Gurrow Point. The newly-weds arrived in style on the back of a Land Rover Defender.
Thanks to a team effort prior to the celebrations, the marquee was decorated beautifully with bunting, fairy lights, a bubble machine and hay bales, while seasonal blooms grown in Totnes spilled from jam jars and vases tied with ribbon and raffia. The menu, too, was rich in local produce; guests dined on mouth-watering delights such as an antipasto platter, platters of freshly barbecued marinated rump steak, marinated chicken and courgette kebabs and chocolate torte wedding cake. Meanwhile, the evening presented a selection of Devon cheeses, locally made pasties and Aune Valley sausages. "Everyone had their fill - and left overs made a great picnic lunch on the beach at Blackpool Sands the following day," comments Michelle.
Michelle and Gary selected a variety of tunes to reflect the ambience of each section of the day. "We had music dating from all eras even going back to the mid 1900s. We wanted songs for everyone of all generations with happy and meaningful lyrics," she says. A barn dance and evening disco aptly picked up the tempo for a lively evening party.
A grand fireworks finale made for a memorable close to the celebrations. "Watching the fireworks shooting out across the River Dart and lighting up the night sky, I had a feeling of total happiness," recalls Michelle.
"Enjoy and cherish every moment," she advises. "The day will fly by; it will be the best day of your life, and give you hours and hours of happy reminiscing about everything that took place."
Photography Will Dolphin www.willdolphinphotography.co.uk
Venue The Royal Castle Hotel, Dartmouth www.royalcastle.co.uk
Dress Claire Pettibone from Clare Bridal Studio www.clarebridalstudio.co.uk
Groom's outfit Marks and Spencer www.marksandspencer.com
Hair The Cutting Lounge www.thecuttinglounge.co.uk
Make-up Louise Pitt, Lakeside Dartmouth Golf and Country Club
Flowers Emma Vowles www.emmavowles.co.uk and Amy Henshaw Depledge of School Farm Flowers 07841 711708
Catering Sayer's Catering www.sayerscatering.co.uk
Transport Fairmile from Greenway Ferry www.greenwayferry.co.uk
Copyright Wed magazine 2013
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