Getting to work planning a 'beautiful, fun and relaxed day with our family and friends', Meg and Andrew chose to get married at West Town Farm thanks to the venue's laidback vibe 'where we were able to have a relaxed wedding that was more like a party then a wedding', says Meg. 'Plus we could have our dogs there which was one of the most important things for us.'
Choosing where to splurge ('my dress!') and save, Meg and Andrew created elements themselves, handmaking the arch that now features in their garden as a memory of their special day.
'We knew we didn't want to spend loads but also wanted to make sure we had a day to remember,' says Meg when it came to budgeting. 'Andrew being an accountant meant there were a few spreadsheets to make sure we stuck to our budget!'
Dressed in a stunning bespoke gown and her great-great auntie's necklace, Meg completed her jaw-dropping look with a hand-painted leather jacket. 'Although it was July, I was conscious that you can never rely on the British weather so had the jacket made to keep me warm just in case,' she says.
Andrew was dressed in tweed 'as a nod to my maiden name, Tweedie, and he went for a laid-back and relaxed design that reflected the kind of day we wanted', explains Meg.
One of their best decisions, she continues, was booking a toastmaster. 'He conducted a really nice humanist-style ceremony that was personalised to the two of us, and he stayed on throughout the day to make sure things ran smoothly,' she says. 'I don't think the day would have been the same without him.'
Decorating the barn with colourful drapes, ribbons and handmade bunting galore, the décor was complemented by gin bottles, brightly coloured candles and vintage napkins to brighten up the tables. 'We didn't want a colour scheme, and instead included pretty much every colour,' says Meg. 'Our only stipulation was that people were happy and had fun. We kind of went for a 'boho festival-style, laid-back big party in a field' theme!'
After the ceremony, the couple enjoyed ice cream canapés with their guests, before 'lots of dancing, laughter and good food and drink'. Tucking into a hog roast as their main meal, the guests loved Thai curry made by a family friend in the evening, and an impressive wedding cake made by Meg's brother's fiancée.
With the first dance ' 'I Wanna Be Like You' from 'The Jungle Book' ' performed by live band The Zu Zu Men, the dance floor was officially open. When the band stopped playing, a silent disco after-party kicked off, with the newly-weds finally stumbling to bed at 4.30am after dancing the night away!
And what's the fun-loving bride's advice to other busily planning couples? 'Enjoy it, have fun,' she says. 'Do what you want and don't sweat the small stuff as it really won't matter.'
Photography Nova Wedding Photography novaweddingphotography.co.uk
Venue West Town Farm westtownfarm.co.uk
Tent Pukka Tents pukka-tents.co.uk
Toastmaster The Distinguished Toastmaster thedistinguishedtoastmaster.co.uk
Dress Mint and Thistle instagram.com/mint.and.thistle
Shoes Rainbow Club rainbowclub.co.uk
Jacket Kate Illustrate kate-illustrate.co.uk
Bridesmaids' outfits Mix Bridal mixbridal.com
Groom's outfit Zebel zebel.co.uk ties Catkin Jane catkinjane.co.uk
Make-up Liza Haywood instagram.com/lizahaywardmakeupartist
Rings Erin Cox Jewellery erincox.co.uk Molten Wedding Ring Company moltenweddingringcompany.com
Flowers In Bloom inbloomdevon.co.uk
Ice cream The Devon Fizz Company thedevonfizzcompany.com
Cake Sweet Escake instagram.com/Sweetescake_devon
Entertainment The Zu Zu Men thezuzumen.com
The Silent Disco Company thesilentdiscocompany.co.uk
