September days can often be the best of the summer. Crisp and fresh with clear light and gorgeously warm afternoons, they’re always an unexpected blessing and a wonderful time for a wedding.
I think you’ll see what I mean in today’s wedding, which takes us to the beautiful coastline of south west England. We’re off to Devon for the wedding of marketing director Adam and architect Katie, whose September wedding was held at Cliff House in Salcombe.
Attracted by its beautiful views of Salcombe Estuary and the quaint fishing village, the light and airy venue was a lovely backdrop for their fresh, simple botanical style with a smattering of hand-illustrated herbs. Tom Ravenshear‘s crisp, clean and timeless photography style is so beautifully suited to the fresh September day and those spectacular waterside views.
Tom Ravenshear Photography + Follow
We are so pleased to feature him on our Little Book wedding directory so please take a look at his listing to find out more about him and his approach.
“Tom made everyone feel at ease, especially the wedding party. He has this fantastic way of shooting the moments that matter, not just a list of shots. We have some amazing photos of natural moments that you don’t normally see. He was always elusive, and you never knew he was there but didn’t miss a beat. Fantastic to have around and couldn’t recommend him more highly.”
The crisp, simple style of the day is truly exemplified in Katie’s choice of Eliza Jane Howell ‘Lucille’ gown, a pure white piece with draped batwing sleeves and exquisite but subtle, vintage-inspired beading. We really adore these super-flattering and effortlessly elegant gowns with their touch of era styling on Love My Dress and are again so pleased that you can find out more on out Little Book here. She chose it at Isabella Grace Bridal and had her alterations done by Miss Kay Seamstress.
“Isabella Grace were fantastic. Extremely helpful, we were very well looked after and would absolutely recommend them.”
“I went on holiday to Salcombe as a child and we fell in love with the village and the venue. I liked the botanical style and we thought that our venue and the surroundings did enough for us so the style was very simple and clean.
The couple planned and styled the day themselves and, as Adam is an event planner, his experience came in to be very handy.
Adam’s slick blue Ted Baker three-piece suit was offset by a pair of brown brogues and a botanically-green tie.
Katie wore minimal accessories and had her hair styled in to a sleek and pretty down-do by a family friend.
To mirror the vintage style and batwing sleeves of the bride’s gown, her bridesmaids wore beaded gowns from Stay Sunny Chicago via Topshop.
The couple’s ceremony was held against a huge window at Cliff House, with light flooding in.
The couple have known each other since their teens, and spent one year planning their wedding after Adam proposed.
“We met when we were fifteen and had moved apart with university and work. We got together when we both moved to London before getting engaged in Portugal in 2016.”
The ceremony room was framed by an arch dressed with wild foliage and pure white blooms which had a ‘just gathered’ feel. These and the lush bouquets, were created by florist Jackie Grover from April Haven.
“Jackie was brilliant and knew exactly what we wanted. We sat down with her and went through some images and mood boards and she delivered in every way.”
As ‘Higher Love’ by Steve Winwood played, Katie and her father walked down the aisle. There, she and Adam exchanged their marriage vows and antique rings. The ceremony included a reading from Louis de Bernières ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin’.
The sunny, warm day meant that relaxing and celebrating outside was essential, so the guests took to the terrace, with its wonderful views of the estuary, for the champagne reception.
Afterwards, they returned inside to sit down at tables festooned with botanicals for the wedding breakfast served up by Entertaining Food.
The couple opted for a cheese cake of local Devon cheeses from The Cheese Shed.
“We highly recommend Elaine and her team – the best food we have had at a wedding.”
As night fell, the room looked magical with its swathes of fairy lights. Before dancing to live band Blurred Lines, booked through Silver Dog Music, the couple celebrated with a first dance to ‘Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher’ by Jackie Wilson.
Words of Wedded Wisdom
“Do what you want to do as a couple. The whole day was planned by us and everything we wanted to do (or could achieve within the budget), we did.”
“On the wedding day take five minutes just for yourself. “
“Keep it simple. The people make your wedding!”
Katie and Adam, so many congratulations and thanks for sharing your sunny and elegant day with us. I adore your gown Katie and am happy to tell you that we have many more brides in Eliza Jane Howell gowns here. Tom Ravenshear, as ever it’s been a pleasure to share your work so thank you to you too.
Ele xx
Eleanor Crossland
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Ele lives in the Lincolnshire countryside, close to the beautiful coast. A qualified Pilates teacher, she loves fitness, yoga, Pilates and has a healthy addiction to baking, writing and travel.