Your Devon and Cornwall Wedding - July/August 2020 (Issue 26)

ALL ABOARD! Joanna and Ryan’s Catholic ceremony was followed by a trip to the venue on a red Routemaster bus Images courtesy of Norsworthy Weddings Joanna Newton married Ryan Pietersen on 14 th September 2019 at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Bovey Tracey, Devon, followed by a reception at The Moorland Hotel Haytor, also in Bovey Tracey. J oanna and Ryan met online in early 2016. “We had an instant connection and I fell for Joanna straight away!” Ryan tells us. “We started dating, and things went from there. We moved in together after six months and we bought our first home together in Bristol in 2018.” The couple became engaged during a surprise trip for her 30 th birthday. “I spoke to Joanna’s work and arranged for her to take some time off without her knowing,” Ryan tells us. “I told her to pack a bag and we flew to New York for five nights, meeting up with some of our closest friends there. After a day spent exploring the city on bikes, I proposed in Central Park and thankfully she said ‘yes!’ It was a very special moment and I’m impressed that I managed to keep it a surprise from her.” Here, the couple tells us about their Catholic church ceremony followed by a rustic-themed reception at The Moorland Hotel Haytor. REAL WEDDINGS 33 