Wedding at Wonwood Barton, Devon

"Tom proposed whilst we were hiking in the Spanish Pyrenees," reveals Jo of her surprise engagement. "We were walking through a gorge and stopped for a banana break. I couldn't find my banana so I was rooting around in my bag for ages when I heard Tom clear his throat. I turned around and he was down on one knee with a ring box open."


Echoing the mood, the floristry was a simple yet striking medley of colourful wild flowers and foliage: Jo's bouquet included matricaria daisies, freesias, gypsophila and rosemary, while the bridesmaids clutched bunches of daisies and the tables were dotted with jam jars of yellow freesia, purple stocks, blue delphinium, solidago and clematis. The arrangements perfectly complemented the wooden decor and props made by Jo's aunt, including an oversized photo frame, wooden games, memory ladder with pictures of lost loved ones and blanket holder.

The ceremony at Tavistock Parish Church was another personalised affair, with Jo making her grand entrance to Jack Johnson's 'Do You Remember', which was performed by her aunt's wife and two of her friends. "It was super relaxed and very joyous!" she comments.


Canapes and speeches were followed by informal dining delivered by two food vans, who treated guests to the likes of slow-cooked Dexter beef, 'manapes' such as black pudding, chorizo scotch eggs and salt cod croquettes, and vegan dishes including spiced organic seitan kebabs.

"People were sat in the sun on hay bales drinking rose and cider, then my German family put on a funny play (a German tradition) which resulted in me doing a German shot and Tom downing a German weissbeer!" adds Jo.

The evening comprised the cutting of the cake - an artistic creation by Jo's friends representing her mountain-top proposal - as well as scones, pasties, more live music from Jo's family, and a dance floor-filling set by band, Sons in the Wild.

"The speeches were all incredible and hilarious. Tom ended his speech by handing out some German shots, which were our favours," says Jo of another personal highlight from "the best day of our lives!".

"I would say don't sweat the small stuff!" she offers as a word of advice to other couples keen to strike a similarly relaxed tone at their wedding. "We truly didn't get too stressed about the decisions we needed to make, and tried not to look at too many options as you just get overwhelmed! As long as you have food, drink, good music and the people you love there, then the day will be perfect!"

Photography Clare Kinchin Photography clarekinchinphotography.co.uk
Venue Tavistock Parish Church
Wonwood Barton wonwoodbarton.com
Marquee Hatch Marquee Hire southwestmarqueehire.co.uk
Catering Rusty Pig rustypig.co.uk
Pyramid Catering pyramidorganic.co.uk
Dress Rembo Styling from Lovely Bridal lovelybridal.co.uk
Groomsmen's outfits Samuel Windsor Samuel-windsor.co.uk
Hair Tie Dye Hair by Laura Hutt facebook.com/tiedyehairuk
Jo Barker from Yoke the Salon yokethesalon.co.uk
Make-up Fiona Miller devonmakeupartist.co.uk
Flowers Odds & Buds oddsandbuds.co.uk
Drinks Countryman Cider crying-fox.com/cider1.htm
Dartmoor Brewery dartmoorbrewery.co.uk
Entertainment Sons in the Wild sonsinthewild.co.uk