Ellie & Mat: A Timelessly Elegant Wedding at Pynes House, Devon

We chose Pynes House for its timeless elegance and exclusivity, and wow factor.

Having always lived in Devon, it was a dream of mine to be married in the same church as my Grandparents at St Mary’s in Dunsford. I wanted a venue that paired with the beauty of the church, and Pynes House absolutely ticked that box.

From the first time my then-fiancé and I approached the long, sweeping driveway and were shown around Pynes by the incredible Phoebe, we knew that no other venue would compare.

My dress — Huntleigh by Australian designer Jane Hill — was customised with a full skirt, detachable train and removable sleeves. It felt wonderfully versatile; formal and elegant for our church ceremony, yet easily transformed into a more relaxed look for the reception without the need for a complete outfit change.

I paired it with a cathedral-length pearl veil from Made with Love Bridal, low-heeled Harriet shoes by Emmy London featuring a bespoke sash tie, and baroque pearl earrings from a boutique. My hair was finished with Emmy London’s Lotus Cluster Pins.

The bridesmaids wore buttercream halter-neck maxi dresses from Odd Muse London — timeless and chic against the soft tones of the day — while the groomsmen looked sharp in custom black tuxedos, a stylish nod to my husband’s love of James Bond (and our wedding car choice too!).

Timeless elegance was always my vision. Pynes House already radiates this in abundance through its beautiful restoration, so we chose to keep the décor minimal yet impactful — subtle, refined, and effortlessly elegant.

We used custom gold mirrors for our welcome sign and seating plan, carrying hints of gold and cream throughout, with black calligraphy tying all the stationery together in a cohesive, classic look.

Our florist, Laura Hingston of The Flower Sessions, brought the floral brief to life perfectly — soft creams, whites, and blush pinks with delicate foliage. Peonies and roses featured heavily (two of my favourites), and being late May, they were in perfect season. Each buttonhole was handmade on the morning of the wedding, with Laura crafting them individually for each groomsman.

Our catering was provided by Pickle Shack, who created a delicious and seasonal menu. They served canapés during the drinks reception, followed by a beautifully presented three-course wedding breakfast that our guests are still talking about.

Our cake, from Patisserie Valerie, was simply decorated with fresh blooms from our florist to complement the rest of the day’s styling.

We were lucky enough to have the incredible Jade of Ivyhouse Photography capture our day. She has such a natural storytelling style — every image transports us right back to that exact moment. Jade has a true gift for capturing emotion and atmosphere so effortlessly.

We’re so grateful to have had our story told through her lens and will treasure our photographs forever.

Aside from saying “I do”, one of the moments we’ll cherish most was driving down the Pynes House driveway in the Aston Martin DB5 after our church ceremony. It was a real bucket-list moment for Mat — and for both of us, it felt like everything had come full circle. That drive was when we first dreamt of celebrating our wedding here, and experiencing it together, just the two of us, was incredibly special. Being greeted by all of our guests at the other end made it even more unforgettable.

Soak up every single second — the day goes by so quickly. Take each moment as it comes and be present in it.

We’d also recommend taking a moment between courses during the wedding breakfast to visit each table and chat with your guests. We’re so glad we did; it meant so much to both us and to everyone who’d come to celebrate with us.