Seven years later, the couple had just moved into their first home together when Darren popped the question. 'We walked in and there was what I thought was a thank you letter from the estate agents, but it was a note saying 'I decided not to spend my money on a motorbike. I got something much smaller.' I looked up and he was down on one knee asking me to marry him,' says Becky.
Upton Barn provided the 'goosebump' feeling that prompted them to book the gorgeous country setting as their wedding venue. 'The moment we walked in, we both felt instantly that this was where we would get married,' says Becky. 'The newly converted stable barn and bridal room added to the incredible venue. We loved the setting and everyone there put us at complete ease.'
Designing many of the details themselves and utilising Darren's plumbing skills to spectacular effect, the copper, peach and grey colour scheme was inspired by the candelabras and flower holders he crafted from copper pipe.
'We wanted a relaxed rustic-style wedding. We already had the incredible venue, then added our own personal touches along with great food, lots of drinks and great music,' elaborates Becky.
'Instead of normal name place settings, we had individual Cadbury bars customised with each name and a personal message from us on the back, which also acted as our favours,' says Becky. 'All the other signs and boards were made by Darren and my sister ' even the 4ft wooden love lights.'
The flowers tied the scene together perfectly, with natural green foliage with eucalyptus scattered loosely across the tables intermingling with pastel pinks, peaches and ivory.
A mix of English and Asian canapés (inspired by their previous round-the-world travels) were devoured by guests after the sun-dappled ceremony in the walled garden and included Thai fish cakes, vegetable spring rolls, duck and plum quail scotch eggs, smoked salmon blinis and chargrilled vegetables on parmesan biscuits. A meal comprising pork croquettes with chilli jam followed by stuffed chicken breast was completed with a wow-worthy semi-naked cake served as dessert.
Saxophonist Joe Glynn played to the crowds in the evening after Darren had booked him as a surprise for Becky to walk her down the aisle and perform during the drinks reception. 'I didn't know until I was walking down; it was such an amazing surprise!' she recalls. Later, live band Ride the Fire played a 'fantastic' set, including the newly-weds' first dance to Elbow's 'One Day Like This'.
'The ceremony itself was by far our favourite memory for both of us; what I wouldn't give to stand at the top of that aisle and see his face glancing back at me again!' she says when asked to reveal her highlights. 'That moment will forever be my favourite. The raw emotion that came over Darren when I walked down the aisle… There wasn't a dry eye in the house. And the weather was perfect and the sun shone all day long,' she adds.
'Plan your wedding together,' she advises other couples in the throes of planning. 'Bring ideas from both of your personalities and styles to plan the perfect day. Also, make sure you take time ' just the two of you ' to try and take it all in together.'
Photography The Unbridled theunbridled.co.uk
Venue Upton Barn & Walled Garden uptonbarn.com
Dress Justin Alexander from Prudence Gowns prudencegowns.com
Bridesmaids' dresses Victoria Lou Bridal victorialou.co.uk
Groom's outfit Burton burton.co.uk
Hair Gemma's Hair & Beauty facebook.com/gemmashairbeauty
Make-up Sophie White sophiewhitemua.co.uk
Flowers Darling Buds darlingbudsofel.com
Cake Claire Makes Cakes clairemakescakes.co.uk
Entertainment Joe Glynn joeglynnmusic.com
Ride the Fire ridethefireband.co.uk
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