Lauren and Dave met through friends when they were young and became a couple when they were 19. Dave proposed in September 2023, during a holiday in Lake Como, Italy. “He chose a private terrace at the Villa Cipressi gardens as the backdrop,” Lauren tells us. “I couldn’t have wished for a more perfect proposal.” The couple enjoyed a church ceremony at Lauren’s local village church, where she grew up, and where her mum is buried, followed by a marquee reception at Dave’s family farm in Hartland. “The field we used for our wedding enjoys views across Lundy,” Lauren says. “It’s also where we walk our dog every day.” Their chosen colour theme was soft blue, styled with wildflowers. “Our marquee wedding had a relaxed, countryside feel with lawn games and hay bales,” Lauren tells us. “The marquee featured clear sides, a partially clear roof, festoon lighting suspended from the ceiling and a bell tent which added a fantastic social space. The outside entrance was lined with milk churns filled with wildflowers, and lanterns led to a spectacular floral arch. We hired wooden trestle tables and rustic-style chairs from the marquee company, too.” Lauren and Dave created a table for their welcome drinks using whiskey barrels and wooden planks with cocktails in large Kilner jars, and tin baths holding beers and ales. “Outside, we displayed a wooden photo frame and a cartwheel for our table plan,” Lauren says. “Our tables were named after countries we have travelled to together, and showed a picture of us there.” A highlight of their décor was a large, two-tier hanging floral centrepiece in the marquee, which Lauren’s dad had made, and Lauren had decorated with faux, artificial garlands in bright colours. “We also had a photo wall, a snack wall and a handmade wooden order of the day,” Lauren tells us. “On the tables we had white runners with glass candlesticks and blue taper candles, plus bud vases filled with wildflowers. I created a ‘newlywed post’ at each guest’s table setting, which included the menu, timings of the day, a special thank you to our parents and memories of loved ones, plus a word search and guest awards.” Guests tucked into canapés and welcome drinks. The wedding breakfast started with charcuterie sharing boards, followed by carved mixed meats with stuffing, roast potatoes, and chickpea and Caprese salads. “For dessert, we had black cherry torte, white chocolate and raspberry ganache brownie, and luxury fruit-set cheesecakes with cream,” Lauren says. “We also had our local pub provide the bar service during the day and evening.” 30
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