This most unusual wedding kept the guests entertained from beginning to very end! Starting with unusual music and readings at the ceremony (words inspired by Einstein, anyone?), then a buffet reception full of yummy jams, treats, and scones, ending with a folk punk band and no first dance – we really wish we had been there! Mark from Evolve Photography was lucky to attend and capture this glorious February day in his beautiful photos.
Bride and Groom: Gemma, research scientist, satellite meteorology, and Paul, research scientist & lecturer, climate science
Length of engagement: 1 year
Wedding date: 23rd February 2013
Wedding ceremony & reception: Colehayes Park, Devon
Wedding photographer: Evolve Photography, Devon
Wedding theme/colours: Green and white/ivory/cream
Wedding dress by: It was from the Venus Bridal Informals range, quite slimline and made from lace. I had a wonderful seamstress who created the keyhole back which I really wanted.
First dance song: I can’t remember! We didn’t have plans to do a ‘traditional’ first dance, so the band (who play ‘folk punk’) just started playing.
The bride says: We think we met at a work family barbecue for the group Gemma’s Mum and Paul’s Dad worked in, we were probably aged between 6 and 9 years old? We can’t remember our meeting, but I do remember that later in his teens Paul had long hair, which I wasn’t keen on!
I took full advantage of the recent Leap Year and proposed to Paul on a special weekend in Exmoor. For the wedding, we rented the whole venue for the entire weekend, and we loved having the complete freedom to do what we wanted. My bridesmaid was my oldest friend, Chloe, and best men were Paul’s oldest friend Tom (who he sat next to at the first day of school), and their fellow camping buddy Dave. At the ceremony, we had Paul’s Uncle singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole accompanied by Paul’s brother on the ukulele as I walked up the aisle (it’s our song), two readings (The Owl and the Pussy Cat, and some words inspired by Einstein), a friend sang two beautiful classical songs while we signed the register, and then we left the ceremony room to the Pride and Prejudice theme (the BBC version!). So I don’t think the guests quite knew what to expect next!
What made the day (and weekend) so amazing for us, apart from actually getting married, was the people who were there, and having a great time with them. I found there are so many things you don’t see or notice on the day, and if things hadn’t been quite how I’d planned them to be, it really wouldn’t have mattered. It was such a happy day, and that’s what stays in my mind.
Mark at Evolve Photography has over 20 years experience, having photographed over 1200 weddings, capturing and sharing the essence of every couple’s special day through his expertise in reportage style with classic and beautifully narrative photos. Based in Devon in the South West of England, his packages are flexibly priced starting from as little as £395.
