Rustic Lucy and Stephen’s wedding featured vegan delights, autumnal décor and heartfelt moments Images courtesy of Holly Bobbins Lucy and Stephen’s love story began when they were just 16, at a student lock-in shopping night at Westquay Shopping Centre. Although they attended different colleges, they shared mutual friends and formed an instant connection. Just two days later, they attended a house party where they shared their first kiss – and the rest is history. The pair spent many years of their relationship long-distance, living in different cities for work and university. After almost nine years together, Stephen proposed while they were on holiday in Kos, Greece. “It was romantic and intimate under trees lit with fairylights, with no one else around,” Lucy recalls. “We kept the moment private until the next day, when we FaceTimed our very excited loved ones.” The couple knew they wanted a barn wedding and quickly fell in love with Kimbridge Barn. It was the perfect size for their guest list and offered a beautiful mix of spaces, including the main barn, cosy boot room and outdoor areas. “It has a rustic, welcoming feel that was ideal for our October wedding, and the location by the River Test is just gorgeous,” says Lucy. “What truly stood out was the incredible team. From our first meeting at their open day, we knew we were in safe hands. We also loved that it has a tearoom, so we can return in the future and reminisce.” Autumn has always been a favourite season for the couple, and marrying on their 11-year anniversary made it feel even more meaningful. They embraced the season with a rich colour palette of green, orange, gold and burgundy, complete with pumpkins and autumn leaves. With such a stunning venue, the pair opted for minimal décor. Fairylights running the length of the barn highlighted the beautiful wooden beams and received plenty of compliments. Sustainability was also important, so many decorations featured colourful pumpkins and gourds sourced from a local farm. A wooden arch with autumnal draping was bought on Facebook Marketplace, alongside wreaths, garlands and lanterns with LED candles. Dried flowers were chosen for the bouquets, adding to the rustic feel and allowing them to be enjoyed long after the day. The couple designed their stationery themselves on Canva, loving the chance to add their own personal touches. As vegans, food was a key focus. “We wanted to be able to eat everything and for it to reflect our values, while still delighting our guests,” says Lucy. Kimbridge Barn created a fully vegan menu that received glowing feedback. Guests enjoyed canapés such as ‘cheesy’ chips, sweetcorn fritters and roasted vegetable puff pastry, alongside sparkling ciders and beers. The wedding breakfast featured leek velouté, roasted garlic and wild mushroom gnocchi, and sticky toffee pudding, followed by pizzas and salads in the evening. “We were also very impressed with the wine list, especially an unusual Lebanese white,” Lucy adds. The bride wore the Shya gown by Madi Lane, the very dress she had fallen in love with online. “I wanted a fit-and-flare silhouette with leaf embroidery to suit the season, and the unique sleeves made it feel extra special,” she says. “It was exactly how I imagined myself walking down the aisle and made me feel confident and romantic.” Stephen looked equally stylish in a tailored three-piece suit from Next, featuring a subtle check in deep green. He completed the look with a burgundy tie, gold watch and dark brown double-strap monk shoes. Comfort was key for the wedding party. The groomsmen wore coordinating but in different suits within the autumnal palette, finished with matching ties alongside the father of the groom. The bridesmaids each chose a satin wrapstyle midi dress in olive green, forest green or burnt orange. In the boot room, board games sourced from charity shops provided a relaxed space for guests and kept the children entertained. As evening fell, the DJ kept the dancefloor packed. “There were so many magical moments,” Lucy says. “Reading our vows and holding hands during the ceremony felt incredibly personal, like we were the only two people in the room. And dancing together at the end of the night, soaking it all in and realising we were finally Mr and Mrs, was unforgettable.” ROMANCE REAL WEDDINGS 27
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