illness!” Melissa tells us. “We also had stunning white cherry blossom trees from them which made such an impact in the marquee. The team at Unique Designs by Tina and our florist, Caroline Hodges collaborated to transform the marquee and some of our guests commented that they felt like they were in an episode of Bridgerton which we took as a big compliment!” The couple’s table names were after some of their favourite places in the area written in calligraphy and displayed on white wooden signs suspended from the branches of the cherry blossom trees. “We commissioned oyster shell place names adorned with gold leaf and calligraphy writing,” Melissa says. “Our favours were glass bottles of homemade, rosemary-infused olive oil for our guests to take home.” Melissa and Joshua’s florist, Caroline, stuck to their brief of using eucalyptus and white blooms to coordinate with the colour theme. “I wanted beautiful flowers with a classic bouquet,” Melissa says. “I carried a bridal bouquet of white hydrangeas and my bridesmaids had white gypsophila in theirs. We also had eucalyptus runners on the tables, with the top table featuring a more elaborate set-up containing hydrangeas to match my bouquet.” The talented team at Shilstone provided the catering and the couple chose a wedding cake of cheese from Sharpham Cheese. “They hosted us for a tasting a couple of months before our wedding to select the cheese for each layer which was a great idea,” Melissa says. LOOKING THE PART Melissa wore a dress purchased from the Bridal Rogue Gallery in Marylebone, London. “I had been trying dresses on for months but with six months to go until the wedding, I still hadn’t chosen one. I knew the shape and neckline that I liked so I typed this into an Instagram search and within fifteen minutes, I had three new options, all in my price range. I emailed the stockists to see if they had the dresses and as luck would have it, the Bridal Rogue Gallery stocked two of the brands and had both dresses available to try on. The other dress was down in North Devon and so I ended up driving a 10-hour round trip to realise it wasn’t the one!” Melissa chose the Milan dress by the designer Freda Bennet and had a statement bow added at the back. “I also had the train lengthened because I’m tall, and tweaks made to the neckline and straps,” she tells us. “I accessorised it with a pair of baroque pearl earrings and a gold bracelet with J&M entwined in the centre that I commissioned from my friend Gabby who has a “We had a pre-wedding rehearsal dinner at the Beach House on South Milton Sands with our dearest and dearest, just after we were legally married (although we kept that secret). This was a lovely, informal way to start the weekend. My two family dogs were able to join too, which meant the world to me. Sadly one of them, Keira, passed away a month later at the age of 15. Looking back on pictures I have from her at the Beach House are so special and it made me feel like she had held on for our wedding.” - Melissa 27 REAL WEDDINGS
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