I’m thrilled to share with you my wonderful experience attending Dion and David’s wedding celebration, which took place on June 2nd, 2018. The couple exchanged vows at their local church before heading to Middle Combe Farm for a relaxed and joyful reception. What struck me as truly remarkable was the abundance of thoughtful personal touches that Dion, an incredibly skilled crafter, incorporated into every aspect of their special day. I’m particularly enamored with the exquisite terrariums, each featuring meticulously painted figurines. The attention to detail in these creations is simply breathtaking.As if the ceremony and reception weren’t enough, Emma Stoner Photography, a favorite among our readers, captured every poignant moment beautifully. I want to extend my sincerest gratitude to Dion and David for sharing these stunning photographs with us.One of the standout features of their wedding was David’s impressive DIY bar, which added an extra layer of charm to the celebration. I can only imagine how meticulous he must have been in crafting the perfect tasting notes! This dynamic duo truly went above and beyond to create a memorable experience, but they also wisely recognized when to draw the line and accept help when needed – a valuable lesson for all DIY enthusiasts.What’s more, the couple’s commitment to locally sourced food and drink further amplified the unique personality of their wedding. I’m confident that you’ll find this story as captivating as I do.
The Proposal
As we embarked on our 2017 family holiday on the Isles of Scilly, a day trip to St Agnes, the westernmost island, became an unforgettable experience. The radiant May weather gifted us a sighting of puffins and seals en route from St Mary’s, setting the tone for an idyllic adventure. Our stroll around the island led us to the sole shop, a gallery, where I chanced upon a diminutive silver ring featuring an aquamarine stone that seemed to have been plucked straight from the island’s shores. My lingering gaze was interrupted by my husband Dave, who hastily returned to the ferry after realizing he had forgotten something, only to propose on the beach mere moments later, much to the delight of a group of walkers watching from the cliff top. The ring fit flawlessly, as if destined for me; it was as if fate itself was nudging us toward this moment. We capped off our whirlwind romance with a hurried glass of prosecco at the local pub before hurrying back home to share the news with loved ones. Our return trip in 2019 found us revisiting St Agnes, where we spent a blissful week camping on its shores, reliving the magic that brought us together.
The Vision
As we envisioned our dream wedding, we spent considerable time brainstorming what made it special. A church ceremony surrounded by our loved ones, followed by an intimate gathering where we could curate every detail – from the bar to the food to the music. As a theatre professional, I was thrilled to take on the organisational challenge, knowing that my expertise would make the planning process enjoyable for both of us. We were also adamant about supporting local businesses and meeting the people behind the products. In fact, we prioritised sourcing everything locally, from the venue to the suppliers, to ensure a truly immersive experience. I invested countless evenings scouring wedding blogs for the perfect Somerset party venues without set packages, finally stumbling upon Middle Coombe Farm. Our viewing took place on a scorching hot day just before Glastonbury festival, after which we were sold and didn’t bother exploring other options. Dave quickly caught on to my planning fervour and joined in, and for us, the lead-up to our special day became a year-long project rather than a one-day celebration. We relished every moment of it, cherishing the time spent discussing and refining our ideas.
The Planning Process
As our wedding planning journey began, the choice of venue was a significant milestone. We had already secured our beloved local church in Taunton, which set the tone for the rest of the process. While attending a few wedding fairs didn’t yield the desired results, we found inspiration and practical guidance on platforms like Etsy and Pinterest. The team at Middle Combe also provided us with a valuable list of recommended suppliers who had worked at the venue before, which was particularly helpful in avoiding any logistical issues.
Budget
While our initial intentions were exceeded, an unexpected consequence has been the abundance of items that have either become integral parts of our daily lives or been kindly bestowed upon loved ones as thoughtful presents.
Bridesmaids
As I got ready for the wedding, I was thrilled to see my sister and friend Karen both opted for stunning blue dresses – a lovely surprise that morning! In fact, I’d been busy preparing special gifts for them, including white cardigans from Monsoon and custom-made hairbands to match the veil design I had created. My admiration for Remon Jephcott’s ceramics inspired me to purchase beautiful forget-me-not necklaces as a thoughtful gift for my loved ones.Meanwhile, our ‘bubble boys’ – Dave’s adorable nephews – stole the show with their dapper ensembles. LittleGreyhound crafted matching child-sized ties that perfectly complemented their blue trousers and waistcoats, while their Converse trainers added a playful touch to complete their charming looks.
The Venue
As we celebrated our special day at Middle Coombe Farm, we were surrounded by breathtaking scenery and flawless weather, allowing us to make the most of the entire day and evening. To welcome our guests, we served Wild Wingletang Gin from Westward Farm on St Agnes, infused with gorse flowers that we had carefully preserved in our freezer after picking them at Lyme Regis. Following the drinks reception, we took a leisurely walk into the woods, where we held speeches under the ancient oak tree and served Sheppys cider with Elderflower instead of traditional champagne – a nod to our Somerset heritage. The woodland atmosphere was nothing short of enchanting, and our guests thoroughly enjoyed the stroll as part of their experience. As the day drew to a close, we returned to the marquee and barn for a barbecue-style meal courtesy of Feast Without Fuss, followed by dancing with The Wedding Spinner. Throughout the entire event, Angela and Clydie’s exceptional organisational skills ensured that everything ran smoothly, allowing us to simply relax and enjoy our special day. Even after the festivities had concluded, we spent quality time with our families, making use of the swimming pool and packing up at a leisurely pace until Monday. On Sunday, we invited everyone back for an impromptu pizza party, which was made all the more enjoyable by the visit of Bob’s & Suze’s Stone Artisan Pizza – their wood-fired oven perfectly complemented the eco-friendly credentials of our chosen venue. To reduce waste and make the most of our food, we carefully saved leftovers from the wedding day and incorporated them into our Sunday meal, making for a truly memorable experience.
The Flowers
As I embarked on my wedding preparation journey, I decided to take a local approach and grow my own flowers. What began as a wonderful project unfortunately got hampered by an unexpected two-meter snowfall in March, but it was well worth the wait. My love for flowers is deeply rooted (pun intended), and I enjoy following various florists and growers on Instagram. It seemed absurd to import blooms when we’re surrounded by an abundance of beautiful British flowers. I also purchased two lovely buckets of flowers from local grower Kate at Windmill Farm Flowers, which included a visit to her farm and the opportunity to hear all her tips and tricks. One of my favorite parts of wedding preparation was creating my own bouquet, bridesmaids’ posies, and nine button holes just days before our big day. I spent the Thursday before our Saturday wedding arranging the flowers in loose teardrop shapes, using a mix of white peonies and roses, Love-in-the-Mist, lavender, cornflowers, grasses, cow parsley, herbs, daisies, and other blue-cream blooms. I didn’t use any wire or foam; instead, I aimed to achieve a natural, effortless look that seemed as if I’d just picked it from the garden – which wasn’t far from the truth! To complete my bouquet, I splurged on exquisite hand-dyed silk ribbons in pale blue shades from Little Bee and The Owl. Meanwhile, I also spent months drying flowers to create our own confetti, a step perhaps too far, but the incredible aroma that filled the air when it was all thrown under the oak tree made it worthwhile.
The Cake
In a delightful turn of events, my Mum surprised us by crafting not one, but four tiers of wedding cake – we had originally requested just two! Her inspiration came from the picturesque Pinterest boards we had curated together. As it turns out, she’s quite the skilled baker, having already wowed our family with an incredible cake at my sister’s January nuptials. To further sweeten the deal, many of our friends also contributed their own delectable cakes to our dessert spread, which added a lovely touch to our special day.
The Details & Décor
Our wedding decorations were a true reflection of our personalities – whimsical, creative, and full of details that told stories. Take the table centres, for instance. We created large glass terrariums that served as mini worlds, complete with tiny figurines painted to resemble our family and friends. Our guests enjoyed searching for themselves in each scene, and we even managed to squeeze in a miniature replica of our wedding car, which now takes pride of place in our sitting room. The others were given as thoughtful gifts to our loved ones.To add an extra touch of magic, we suspended clear balloons filled with ferns above the terrariums, allowing them to float serenely through the air. And to continue the glass and fern theme, we hung clear glass Christmas ornaments filled with ferns from the marquee lights, creating a beautiful and unique centerpiece.Favors were another area where our creativity shone. Initially, we had planned to give each guest an oak tree seedling to plant and watch grow, but alas, the unpredictable British weather had other ideas! Instead, we packaged up wildflower seeds, complete with personalized stamps on brown envelopes, making for a lovely keepsake.When it came to the table plan and names, we wanted something simple yet effective. We used leaf-shaped post-it notes to create a unique and eye-catching display, complete with animal-themed table names that added a touch of whimsy.One of our favorite DIY projects was the lace flags. We collected vintage doilies and napkins, then ironed them together using bondaweb to create giant bali-style flags. To add an extra flourish, we used extendable fishing poles as makeshift flagpoles, creating a great photo opportunity for our guests.Speaking of fun, Dave’s crisp buffet was a huge hit in the evening! He put together a selection of ten different crisps, each with its own tasting notes and paired them with cheese and pork pie cakes, along with homemade chutney. And let’s not forget his adorable little hessian sacks to package each flavor – it added an extra layer of whimsy to the whole experience.Finally, we wanted to leave our guests a special surprise in the woods. Dave crafted this beautiful fairy house from a log, complete with intricate details and even a working chimney that can be filled with incense for a realistic touch! It’s now proudly displayed in our garden, where it brings joy to both children and adults alike.
Your Outfits & Accessories
Dion’s wedding dress was the first she tried on, knowing exactly what style suited her. She opted for an off-the-ground design to avoid any awkwardness while exploring the woods and having fun. Although it was beyond her budget, Dion found a sample dress on Gumtree, which fit perfectly after minor alterations from a local dressmaker. Her cream silk church shoes (LK Bennet) were preloved eBay finds, while her gold vintage-style dancing shoes came from Hotter.For her veil, Dion took matters into her own hands, creating the perfect length and adding lace to match her dress using wire, beads, and clay. She also crafted a hair slide to hold it in place. Her beautiful acorn cup earrings were a thoughtful Christmas gift from Dave, made by Eily O’Connell, who also designed their wedding rings. The couple visited her studio in Bristol after discovering the maker of Dion’s engagement ring, which featured tiny chips of sapphire.At a wedding fair, they discovered Fifth and Spring’s talented band, Louise, who patiently helped them choose the perfect setlist. Receiving the package a few weeks later was an exciting experience that left Dion feeling ‘bridal.’In addition to her engagement ring, Dion wore two inherited rings on her right hand, each a sentimental gift from one of her Nans.Dave’s attire consisted of a blue suit from Charles Tyrwhitt in Bath, which arrived at their doorstep after a helpful consultation with the tailor. He paired it with brown Ted Baker brogues and blue laces. The couple ordered Liberty print ties and pocket squares from Etsy maker LittleGreyhound, ultimately deciding on a bow tie to complement his new look.Dave’s ring featured a unique link back to St Agnes, thanks to jeweller Justin Duance’s sand-casting process using specific beaches. Luckily, they had St Agnes in stock.To add some fun to their evening, the couple attached movement-sensitive lights to their shoes, similar to those designed for running trainers. Dion decorated her clips with lace to match her shoes, distracting from their less-than-stellar dancing skills.
Beauty
As my wedding day began, my mum, who used to be a hairdresser, took charge of styling my locks. It was only natural that she would be the one to do it, given her expertise and the fact that she’s always been responsible for cutting my hair. Meanwhile, I opted for a DIY makeup practice session to get ready on my own terms. I cherished the quiet morning moments spent with my sister, just the two of us, away from the hustle and bustle of the big day ahead.
Your Photographer
We stumbled upon Emma Stoner’s work online, captivated by her organic approach and picturesque captures of Middle Combe. Our decision to collaborate was cemented when we witnessed her effortless charm in a winter engagement shoot at Hestercombe Gardens. Her playful direction, urging her subjects to ‘touch noses’ while precariously perched on a rock overlooking a stream, left us convinced that she was the perfect fit for our vision.
Groomsmen
In a thoughtful touch, the grooms’ entourage – including Dave’s trusted best man Tim and reliable usher Paul – received unique blue suit ensembles that perfectly harmonized with the wedding theme. To further enhance their stylish attire, we presented them with matching liberty print ties and pocket squares as special gifts.
The Honeymoon
After spending quality time with our loved ones at the farm until Tuesday morning, we decided to prolong our stay by spending a night in a hotel in St Ives before embarking on our ferry ride from Penzance to IOS the following day. The scenic islands, particularly St Agnes, will forever hold a special place in our hearts as we cherished every moment, including delightful meals, leisurely boat trips, and exhilarating kayaking excursions – all made possible by thoughtful wedding gifts from our friends, which came in the form of honeymoon treats.
Memorable Moments
As we idled in the car around the corner from the church, my dad and I shared a laugh as we’d arrived too early and no one was yet ready to greet us. The scene unfolded with my sister and Karen racing up the road in their elegant dresses, prompting me to make an impromptu three-point turn on the single-lane road – a moment that would later become a cherished memory. Little did I know, this was just the beginning of a day filled with joy and laughter.As our nephews carefully made their way down the aisle ahead of me, they punctuated the air with bursts from their bubble guns, creating a whimsical carpet for me to walk towards Dave on. Gazing up at him, beaming at the altar, I knew that our love would endure for a lifetime.The journey from church to farm in our little blue Morris Minor was filled with its own brand of magic. With the sun shining brightly and Somerset’s rolling hills unfolding before us, we savored every moment, exchanging pleasantries with friendly locals as we made our way.I’m not one for public speaking, but I felt compelled to share my thoughts on our special day. Though I was nervous, I drew upon my experience leading storytime sessions for young children and reworked the classic tale ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ into a ‘Dave Hunt.’ Armed with props, sound effects, and illustrations, I managed to weave our story together, recounting how we’d found each other again 18 years after first falling in love at university. It was a risk that paid off in the most wonderful way.As the last to speak, I settled by the fire, gazing up at the stars as they twinkled above. Despite being awake for nearly 40 hours straight, I felt an overwhelming sense of contentment and peace.
Advice For Other Couples
I’ve pushed my crafting limits far enough; 30 etched wedding invitations were as much as I could handle. Dave stepped in with a swift scan, edit on the computer, and an email invitation that spared us both from further exhaustion. My take is that few people actually scrutinize the invite, so why not just send a digital one? Shop local whenever possible; every purchase gains more meaning when you know the artisan behind it and its origin. I meticulously planned out my tasks leading up to the big day, but we knew relying on family help for setup and tear-down was crucial. We were incredibly fortunate to have that support, as preparing the venue, managing suppliers, and juggling daily responsibilities is no small feat. Don’t underestimate the time it takes to set everything up or how exhausted you’ll feel when it’s all over. You can never be too prepared, but having a little extra fairy light magic doesn’t hurt either!
Credit Where Credit Is Due
Emma Stoner Photo, a talented photographer and member of the Wedding Directory’s list of esteemed wedding photographers, had the pleasure of capturing the joyous union of Dion and David at Middle Coombe Farm. The venue was perfectly complemented by Westward Farm’s artisanal gin and Sheppy Cider’s delightful elderflower cider. Attendees were dressed to impress with stylish ties and pocket squares from Little Greyhound, while Dion and David exchanged rings and bracelets with elegant flair. Vikki Lafford Garside and Eily O’Connell added a touch of whimsy with their unique accessories. As the celebration unfolded, butterflies fluttered about, symbolizing the love and freedom that Dion and David now shared. The couple’s bridesmaids sparkled in Remon Jephcott’s exquisite necklaces, while Windmill Farm Flowers provided the freshest blooms for the occasion. After the ceremony, guests indulged in Feast Without Fuss’s delectable cuisine and After Party Pizza’s savory delights. As the night wore on, The Wedding Spinner kept the party alive with DJ Justin Duance spinning tracks. Dion and David’s special day was made all the more memorable by their Best Day Ever car, a thoughtful gift from loved ones. Rachel extends her warmest congratulations to the happy couple.