A Christmas wedding at Bovey Castle

We thought there was no better time than sharing this micro-wedding with you. If you’re planning a Winter or Christmas wedding and looking for inspiration – look no further.

This latest blog features Jacqueline and Luke who tied the knot at Bovey Castle last December. Their wedding day couldn’t be more on-trend right now, with a small number of hand-picked guests. This blog is a must-read if you want to create something fun, show-stopping, and intimate.

When and where did you get married?

We got married at Bovey Castle in Devon on 23rd December 2019. We wanted something very low key and intimate, we invited just 9 guests to the ceremony – it was so special.

Tell us about your theme…

We didn’t have a wedding theme as such, the venue was so beautiful it didn’t need dressing up and as we didn’t have any bridesmaids we didn’t need to stick to a specific colour scheme – so we just chose things we liked.

We had one large table which we decorated with a blush table runner, gold candelabras and greenery with coffee coloured roses so that it tied in with my bouquet and our cake. I used my wedding bouquet as a centerpiece which was a great idea as after the ceremony and main photographs you don’t really need to hold it again! The room also featured a beautiful Christmas tree which sparkled all afternoon – it was magical.

Each place setting had our guest’s names which were handmade with gold leaf to tie in with the accents of colour from our accessories. For favors, the adults had a mixture of gin and tonics and for the children, we had personalised gift bags filled with snacks, drinks, and games to keep them entertained throughout the day.

How did you feel when you said yes to the dress?

The dress had a racer cut neck-line and was hand-beaded from head to toe, the train was short which was practical yet perfect for our day. It had a silver thread running through the dress with ivory beading. I adored the beaded waistband and the low back detail. The dress was by the amazing Rosa Clara.

I remember walking out of the dressing room and looking at my mom and her face said it all – we both just cried. I felt a million dollars in it, it was everything I had dreamt of and more and I knew my husband to be would love it too.

What accessories did you choose?

I wanted to create quite an elegant yet glamorous look so I went for a pair of Fillipa which featured a diamante brooch on the toe – they were so comfortable and looked stunning, I didn’t take them off all day! I can’t wait to have them colour customised so that I can wear them again.

My veil had beautiful embellished detail which went all around the train and up to the comb, it was finished with an organza edge which softened it against my dress. I saw some statement earrings in a wedding boutique and thought they’d finish off my outfit perfectly. They don’t look like bridal earrings so I can easily wear them again!

Due to it being winter, I was cautious of the weather and wanted something to cover my shoulders for when we went outside and I remembered that my nan had this beautiful cream fur coat which my grandad gave to her years ago. It felt very special to be wearing it.

Tell us about your stand-out moments…

There were so many special moments throughout the day, from Luke and I arriving and getting ready together, to seeing him when I walked down the aisle to my bride’s speech, but one of my stand-out moments would have to be when my dad walked me down the aisle.

Last year, he, unfortunately, had to have a below the knee amputation and he promised me that he would make it his goal to walk me down the aisle. With less than 6 months to go to the wedding, I honestly did not think this would happen.

When I first saw him before the ceremony, he stood up with no walking sticks, took my hand, and lead the way. We both had wobbly knees but we held onto each other and he reached his goal – it was one of the best moments of my life!

How did you entertain your guests?

The evening started off with a caricature who was fantastic, not only was he amazing at creating pictures which looked exactly like our guests but he was funny too so everyone felt relaxed around him. All of our guests loved this as they had something that they could take home from the wedding. Our caricature is now on the wall in our hallway!

We then went outside and had sparklers followed by a silent disco which was so much fun! We created the playlists ourselves which involved a mixture of RnB, old school dance anthems as well as ballads from the 80’s and 90’s – there was something for everyone! All of our guests loved it, it was very funny hearing everyone singing their hearts out (not in tune, may I add) and busting their moves!

What are your budgeting tips?

Be organised and create a budget spreadsheet – this is something which I updated on a weekly basis to keep on top of costs else it can get out of hand.

Once you have set your budget, stick to it. Don’t be persuaded by Instagram weddings which have been set up for inspiration rather than affordability, It is possible to have a beautiful wedding on a budget.

Do you have any advice for other brides?

I have a couple…

1. Try not to stress

I know it’s easier said than done but honestly, it’s not worth it. I found myself stressing over the colours of polka dots on napkins and in reality, no one even notices on the day whether you have rose gold or gold polka dots on your napkins!

Enjoy the whole process, from your engagement to planning, to the day because it really is all over in a flash!

2. Make time for just the two of you!

It’s such a busy day that sometimes you forget that it’s actually about you and your new husband/wife so, try and take some time away from everyone even if it’s just for 20 minutes just to take in the whole experience.

Words from Jacqueline…

I know how hard it must be if you’re having to change your wedding plans due to the current restrictions, but I want to give you some comfort and reassurance.

I got married and had just 9 guests to our ceremony and it was the most intimate and special day of our lives. We laughed, we cried, we ate, we drank but most importantly, my husband and I got dressed up, made our vows, and got married.

Nothing will ever change how special your wedding day is and it will be perfect no matter what. If you’ve rescheduled your wedding, I can assure you it will be 1000% worth the wait.

Suppliers:

Venue: Bovey Castle

Photographer: Joshua Gooding

Wedding Dress: Rosa Clara

Wedding Shoes: Filippa by Rainbow Club

Accessories: Joyce Jackson & Melinda Rose Design

Groom Suit: Hugo Boss

Groom Shoes: Trickers

Flowers: The Flower Shack at Darts Farm

Confetti: Shropshire Petals

Cake: Cherry Blossom Cakes

Caricature: Stanley Toons