Wedding at Crownhill Fort, Devon

Katie and Phil first dated as 15-year-old, but soon went their separate ways. Eight years later, Phil tracked Katie down on Facebook and asked her out on a date. "I thought why the heck not and we have been together ever since," she says. He pulled out all the stops for a starry-eyed proposal: dinner at Tanners Restaurant was followed by a romantic wander across Plymouth Hoe and, in the VIP box of Plymouth Hoe Wheel, while listening to their favourite song and drinking champagne, Phil popped the question with a beautiful diamond ring. "I was so happy, if a little in shock, but over the moon!" Katie says.



A hot pink palette carried through the details of their wedding, which took place at Plymouth's Crownhill Fort. "I wanted the overall theme to feel romantic and be based around love," says Katie. "Our theme for the daytime music was Bridget Jones, as I'm a Bridget Jones freak!"

Katie customised her Demetrios gown with a beautiful lace front made by seamstress Julie Milne, while Craig Chapman ensured her intricately braided hair perfectly complemented her look. Her bouquet was a medley of cerise gerbera with a hint of ivory gerbera, while the bridesmaids' bouquets were ivory with a touch of pink, which matched their chiffon gowns. The striking table centrepieces comprised gerberas laced with scented pink freesias.



Katie walked down the aisle to Etta James's 'At Last' for the "beautiful" civil ceremony, in which Katie's friend Kate played the bassoon while the newly-weds signed the register. Guests then congregated in a marquee where they were served Pimm's and Prosecco amidst a dramatic blast of canon fire. "Everyone was fascinated - I think it burst a few ear drums! It certainly made the day magical and different!" says Katie.

A receiving line preceded the guests' arrival to the main magazine room, where the wedding feast was served. The delectable banquet included the likes of sweet potato and coconut soup with minted Greek yoghurt, pork four ways with crackling, ballotine of salmon and strawberry shortcake with Chantilly cream and balsamic ice cream.



The fun factor was well and truly in force at the evening party, which saw a casino and bouncy castle alongside a crowd-pleasing performance by ten-piece live band Joey the Lips. "The band made the night for me; they were absolutely fantastic and really got everyone involved," comments Katie. Following Katie and Phil's first dance to 'I Won't Give Up', she surprised her dad with a father of the bride dance. "He loved it; we improvised to 'My Girl' and 'Delilah'," laughs Katie. Phil and Katie's cousins then took over the decks for the rest of the night.



"I had the most perfect day - I would not change a thing!" Katie enthuses, looking back on her wedding celebrations. "One of my favourite moments was when I walked down the aisle with my proud dad, looking at Phil's face - it was a picture, and also marrying the man of my dreams." Her advice for other brides-to-be is simple: "Relax, enjoy it and do not leave everything to the last minute."



Photography Jamie Baker Photography www.jamiebakerphoto.co.uk
Venue Crownhill Fort, Plymouth www.crownhillfort.co.uk
Dress Demetrios www.demetriosbride.com
Flowers St. Mellion Flowers www.stmellionflowers.co.uk
Hair Craig Chapman Hair Design www.craigchapmanhairdesign.co.uk
Make-up Luisa Caro
Entertainment Joey The Lips www.joeythelips.co.uk

Copyright Wed magazine 2013