We chose to marry in Clovelly because it’s the most romantic and beautiful setting.
I have strong family connections to the village as my Mother grew up there and was married in the local Church. Nick and I both adore the sea and North Devon landscape and the thought of our friends and family being able to enjoy this corner of England filled us with joy.
I found my wedding dress in London at the elegant bridal designer Naomi Neoh. The dress was called Marie-Ann and My Mother actually picked it out. It fitted perfectly and the shop assistants were so helpful. It was beautifully made, with a corset and lace bodice with a long billowing skirt. I actually brought another dress for dancing in to our lively Cajun band. It was knee length and looked beautiful online – It was in a sale in the US designed by Claire Pettibone and I had to ship it to my brother’s in Kentucky. He luckily remembered to bring it with him!
The shoes were given to me by my friend Rodolph de Salis – he’s a collector of all things – and somehow came to possess size 8 white dancing shoes. They were very comfy and worked perfectly with both dresses! The veil was lent to me by my dear friend and hair dresser Gemma Maddison. It was beautiful and I only tried it on for the first time on the morning of the wedding. It worked perfectly. It was pure Chantilly lace and very long.
Gemma came all the way to Devon to do my hair. She was fantastic and made me laugh all morning. A local make up artist called Rachel Earner did a fantastic job doing both my and my Mother’s makeup. I don’t really wear makeup but she did a lovely natural look that I felt totally comfortable in.
My talented dressmaking friend Maude Smith made the beautiful bridesmaids dresses for my two nieces Maple and Penelope. I also found wonderful outfits on Etsy for the page boys and African dresses for the girls to change into after the ceremony. Nick, the Groom, brought his elegant navy blue lounge suit from a London tailor.
We had all sorts of themes for the day. After the most lovely Church service given by Reverend Brenda Jacobs, with talented organist Paul Wilmot playing the organ we processed into the Clovelly gardens for a traditional English cream tea alongside the Clovelly Donkeys, then suddenly there was a surprise Malawian tribal dance put on by the local Afro-dancer Becky Jeffries. The marquee was styled with Covelly romance using the beautiful Rex Whistler printed material from the silk shop for each table. Each table had a seabird hanging from the room reminding us of our coastal home in Newhaven, East Sussex and of course Clovelly – my now husband and artist Nicholas Bush carefully painted them. We had Zambian fabric covering up the dance floor where we would dance the night away to Cajun music, my Mother-in-law is from Louisiana. We had touches from different parts of the world that we felt close to; Clovelly, Louisiana, North Yorkshire, Zambia and East Sussex.
I used an excellent, very capable and local florist called Sandra Huxtable. She made the most wonderful rose archway over the Church entrance. Inside the Church we had posies of lavender at the end of the aisles, and romantic looking arrangements of roses and foliage. Each table had a jar of sweet-peas on it – simple but beautiful.
I again I used a local cake maker, Mrs Bran, who lives in the village of Clovelly. She made the most delicious traditional 4 tiered fruit caked adored with sea images such as mermaids and sailing motifs. Tish Clark, a friend, did a wonderful job at catering for the wedding. We started with a fabulous cream tea with homemade scones and jam, and of course Devonshire clotted cream. After some entertainment we moved on to simple canapés of smoked trout pate and crudités with champagne in the garden. Our first course was potted Clovelly lobster. I presented Tish with lots of beef from our farm in North Yorkshire. They were cooked and served cold with delicious salads, and then afterwards we indulged in one of my Father’s favourite puddings Whiskey posset. There was cheese, mead, truffles and cake to refuel on whilst dancing. The delicious champagne and wine was carefully sourced by my Father-in-law from French vineyards.
A talented wedding photographer called Hermione McCosh travelled from London to take the photos. She’s a friend of a friend and I met with her in London, felt completely at ease with her and loved her photos. She did the most wonderful job of capturing the day without intruding!
Best part of the day
I adored every bit of it and I wish I could relive it all again – from a skinny dip in the morning with my cousins at Bucksmills, to getting ready with my Mother at my Great Aunt’s cottage, to the Church service and seeing my betrothed, the African tribal dance performed in the garden, the speeches (not mine) and of course the Cajun dancing!
From one bride to another…
Use your imagination and delegate! Keep it local!
Photography Hermione McGosh
Venue Clovelly Village Weddings North Devon
Wedding Planner Emma Long
Bridal Designers Naomi Neoh & Claire Pettibone
Hair Stylist Gemma Maddison
Makeup Artist Rachel Earner
Catering Tish Clark
Wedding Cake Mrs Bran
Flowers by Sandra Huxtable
Donkeys Clovelly Donkeys
Marquee Funky-Tents & Events
Cajun Band Sarah Savoy
Fabric Clovelly Silk Shop
African Dance Entertainment Rebecca Jeffries
Bridesmaids Maude Smith