Your Devon and Cornwall Wedding - January/February 2021 (Issue 29)

BEAUTIFULLY PACKAGED We’re looking at booking a wedding package – what can we expect to be included? Meet the expert: Cat Richards-Kastelic is the general manager of Ashridge Court, a beautiful countryside barn and farm wedding venue located in North Tawton, Devon. Cat says: Wedding packages can vary from venue to venue. At Ashridge Court, we offer hire of The Great Barn and have just created an intimate wedding package priced from just £1,750. It has been designed for between 15 and 30 guests (and is pet-friendly) and includes, but is not limited to, the following: ❤ 36-hour access to the barn for set-up the afternoon before the wedding ❤ Catering from selected suppliers including Oaktree Occasions, Fig & Smoke Event Catering and Joe Dibley Chef ❤ Cake for between 15 and 30 guests from Diana Dench Creative Cakes ❤ Bouquets and buttonholes for the bridal party (table décor can also be added) from Catkin Blooms, Bluebells Bespoke Floral Design or Divine Flowers ❤ Rustic-style furniture to seat between 15 and 30 people ❤ Hire of the barn decorated with seasonal arrangements ❤ Access to the rustic-inspired prop collection ❤ On-the-day coordination service ❤ Support with planning in the run-up to the wedding Ashridge Court | 01837 352 025 | www.ashridge-court.co.uk GET ORGANISED We’re having to reschedule our large wedding for a smaller summer affair and are both feeling a bit overwhelmed! Can you help us with a plan of action? Meet the expert: Sabine Smith is an independent celebrant and owner of Perfect Day Ceremonies covering weddings in Cornwall. Sabine says: Start with getting the official legal part finalised by getting married in a local registry office. You can be legally married with just two witnesses present for a small fee and then host your main celebration anywhere you like. You could even consider a private elopement venue for this part - Cornwall offers many elopement venues where a celebrant will officiate your ceremony and there are no limits to what you can have. Choose a traditional celebration or something more adventurous like a blessing of the rings or a hand-fasting or sand ceremony. Why not consider an out-of-season wedding? An early-spring or autumn one can be just as special as a summer celebration. There might be more availability at your chosen venue for these bookings and your wedding celebrant can conduct the ceremony anywhere you like, for example on the beach, in a castle, in a yurt or even a tipi hut. How about booking a house overlooking the ocean for your loved ones to gather in or hosting a candlelit winter wedding in a cosy Cornish cottage? Seek out venues that can offer a virtual tour. Wedding planners are more than happy to act on your behalf and check out the suitability to make your dream day a reality. Ask potential wedding suppliers for a video call and look at reviews online. You can find recommendations for florists, caterers, wedding planners, cake suppliers, photographers and independent wedding celebrants online and through social media groups. Why not get creative and learn a new skill? Make your own favours or think about creating a personalised guestbook or table decorations. Now’s the time to write your wedding vows. If your ceremony is officiated by a wedding celebrant, you can use any vows or readings that you like, unlike a wedding with a registrar, where you can only use their official vows. The main thing is to remember that you’re both in love and want to get married to celebrate your union. You can plan another special wedding day without feeling like you have lost out if you can’t party with lots of guests – sometimes less is more! Perfect Day Ceremonies | 07977 561 450 | www.perfectdayceremonies.co.uk 68