Real Wedding: Deer Park Country House, Devon

When C & B approached me to plan their dream wedding, they knew one thing for certain: they wanted to capture the magic of a pretty, quaint English garden celebration with lots of pastels and colourful accents.

---

Authors Bio: Vivienne May Weddings was founded and created by Kerrie May. With over a decade of experience in the luxury wedding & event industry, Kerrie has worked at some of the UK’s most iconic venues alongside a selection of renowned industry professionals and worked with a selection of high-net worth couples.

Kerrie is an Multi-Award Winning Luxury UK Wedding Planner and has a distinctive reputation amongst her fellow luxury wedding professionals. Her wealth of experience, industry knowledge and unrivalled passion for bringing her clients vision to life is what drives her to plan impeccably designed, style-led and perfectly co-ordinated weddings, with romance at it’s heart.

---

So the search began for the perfect venue which led me to find the idyllic Deer Park Country House in Devon, a venue that set the perfect tone for a weekend steeped in romance, timeless elegance, and breath-taking beauty. Nestled in the heart of the Devonshire countryside, Deer Park Country House is a hidden gem that feels straight out of a storybook. With sweeping panoramic views, wildflower meadows, secret gardens, and riverside trails, it was exactly the picturesque setting the couple had dreamed of. The main house is rich with character, featuring oversized windows that flood the rooms with natural light, a grand hand-carved fireplace, and eclectic décor that blends classic English charm with a fresh, modern sensibility. Think herb pots on windowsills, ornate wallpaper, vintage artwork and pastel-hued armchairs!

The couple opted for a vibrant and joyful colour palette to reflect their personalities and love story. Florals by Emma Hewlett Floral Design played a central role throughout the day, with a stunning mix of garden roses, spray roses, clematis, stocks, sweet peas, foxgloves, and larkspur in shades of pink, peach, orange, lilac, and blue. These breathtaking florals adorned the ceremony space, reception tables and wedding breakfast, infusing the entire celebration with colour and fragrance. Whilst the Bride opted for a simple white bouquet and the Bridesmaids had bouquets to each match the colour of their beautiful silk gowns.

C made three stunning outfit changes throughout the day, starting with a classic

ballgown and veil, followed by a chic short dress for the wedding breakfast and ending with a playful pink, fluffy number. Her hair and makeup was flawlessly crafted by Grace Brewster MUA, and C completed each look with a pair of elegant Jimmy Choo heels.

Before the festivities began, C & B shared an emotional first look in private, a

quiet moment for just the two of them in the Italian Gardens amidst the excitement and later, they also chose to exchange their vows in a personal, heartfelt ceremony.

The couple's blessing ceremony took place in front of Deer Park’s iconic fountain, a

picturesque setting embraced by nature and the warmth of loved ones. Kelly Jane provided

a beautiful acoustic soundtrack that added a heartfelt atmosphere to the moment, with the

bride making her entrance to "I Guess I'm In Love" by Clinton Kane, and the joyful exit marked by "Ever Ever After" by Carrie Underwood. The ceremony was made even more

personal with emotional readings from B’s sister and C’s close friend, adding

touching sentiments to an already unforgettable moment. As the newlyweds made their way

back up the aisle, guests showered them with delicately scented petals from Shropshire

Petals, creating a fragrant, celebratory path leading into the drinks reception.

Guests were treated to a flavourful selection of canapés during the drinks reception, setting

the tone for a day filled with culinary delights. Bite-sized indulgences included Devon ham

and Gruyère croque monsieur, creamy Brixham crab mayonnaise with pink grapefruit, and

delicate tartare of smoked salmon on blinis topped with dill cream cheese - a sophisticated

nod to local ingredients and refined flavours. They also chose His and Hers Cocktails for

their drinks reception, C chose a Blush & Bloom whilst B chose a classic Espresso Martini – both were loved by guests!

The wedding breakfast was held in the venue’s stunning Georgian Orangery, with two long

banquet tables beautifully styled to reflect the couple’s vision. Tropical accents, such as cut

grapefruit nestled among the floral arrangements, adding a twist to the wildflower garden

theme, creating a look that was both fresh and sophisticated. Kelly continued to serenade

the guests during dinner, adding warmth and intimacy to the enchanting setting.

For the wedding breakfast, the couple curated a vibrant, Mediterranean-inspired menu that

blended individual plating with a relaxed sharing style. Plated starters featured Antipasti

Plates with Parma ham, salami, bocconcini, olives, balsamic onions, sun-blushed tomatoes,

and rosemary focaccia. The mains, served family-style, included spatchcock chicken with

lemon and thyme, slow-cooked short rib ragout with gnocchi, grilled garlic crevettes, and a

chicken arrabiata. Guests also shared vibrant sides like orzo with sun-dried tomato and red

pepper pesto, patatas bravas, fennel and blood orange salad, and herb tabbouleh with

whipped feta. To complement the feast, an array of accompaniments, ranging from wild

rocket pesto and olive tapenade to tzatziki, baba ganoush, and salsa Verdi, added depth and

colour to this unforgettable dining experience.

Every detail of the day was considered with love. Guest favours included luxurious Jo

Malone candles, each accompanied by a personalised thank-you note from C & B, a thoughtful touch that left a lasting impression (and a few teary eyes!) As the sun

began to set, guests wandered into the Italian gardens, where stylish outdoor furniture and parasols provided by Options Great Hire created a relaxed and elegant space to enjoy a refreshing frozen yogurt cart from FroYo on the Go.

When evening fell, the celebration took on a more relaxed, joyful vibe. Guests were treated

to classic British fish and chips and slices of the couple’s decadent wedding cake.

Not Just Cake Axbridge created a stunning two-tier wedding cake perfectly finished with a

silk bow, that was as delicious as it was beautiful. The top tier featured a zesty lemon

sponge, while the bottom tier offered a decadent double chocolate, ensuring there was

something to delight every sweet tooth. The cake was artfully surrounded by vibrant, fresh

blooms, giving the enchanting impression that it was nestled in a wildflower meadow.

A lively DJ set then had everyone on their feet, dancing under the stars as the gardens

twinkled around them and lighting was perfectly produced by Showbitz Hire. The perfect ending to a perfect day was a magical sparkler send-off, where guests formed a

glittering arch for the couple to walk through, an unforgettable farewell that captured the

spirit of the entire celebration: joyful, heartfelt, and full of light.

From the lush English countryside to the heartfelt personal touches, C & B’s

wedding was the perfect blend of elegance, intimacy, and fun. It was a celebration not only

of their love, but of the charm and beauty that only a true English garden wedding can offer

and Laura Vieceli and Sam Sparks captured the day perfectly.