During 2018 we were lucky enough to document several weddings as a Dartington Hall Wedding Photographer in Devon. The wonderful venue, super co-ordination team, excellent food and beautiful gardens all come together to create a splendid wedding venue option in Devon. India and Ben’s wedding was a little extra special because as well as the background of Dartington Hall for their celebrations, we started the day in Dartmouth at St Perox Church which is a picturesque spot on the river. Oh, we do like to be beside the sea! Enjoy the pictures and here are some more words from the bride, Idie…
What were your top three priorities in planning your wedding?
1) Ben and I wanted everyone to have an insane time, so I was on Pinterest from day one grabbing every idea I could that makes a wedding spectacular for guests. Even though most people said that the wedding was about us and not about anyone else, Ben and I were so happy to see everyone else happy and having a fun time on the day!
2) The logistics needed to be down to a tee because we got married at the beautiful church of St Petrox in Dartmouth, which is a 40-minute drive from Dartington Hall. Plus the fact most of our guests had never been to the area, so it was super important that everyone knew where and when to be at the venues and how to get there. Though it took time planning, we’re glad we did so as it took a lot of pressure off us (and our bridal party) on the day, knowing that everyone was happy as to where to go.
3) I was pretty set with the ideas of what I wanted in our wedding because 1) what girl isn’t a little bit and 2) I used to work in planning weddings and so over the years I’ve built my favourites up in my head! So therefore for me, more so than Ben(!) was booking all the suppliers as soon as humanly possible so that we had the pick of the bunch, instead of them all getting booked up! Our florist, band, photographer, videographer, transport etc were all our first choice which made the whole thing very easy for us!
Lovely words from India and Ben:
“WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOOWOWO! Ben and I are just so HAPPY! Your INCREDIBLE pictures have captured every part of our day that we could have wished for and we are overwhelmed by the feeling of wedding day joy and happiness again. Brings back so many lovely lovely LOVELY memories, which on a grey and rainy November Friday evening when Ben has been navy-ing a lot recently really does bring that warm fuzzy feeling and Cheshire Cat smiles on our faces out! I have shared them already and so many friends and family are coming back with a million compliments saying the photos are beautiful…amazing…capture so much etc etc etc I could go on! And also, just a quick thanks for sending them over so quickly as well – I was telling myself 16 weeks so I didn’t get my hopes up!”
Full supplier list in the footer. Including wedding highlights film.
What one thing most surprised you about your wedding, or planning your wedding?
We thought we were most looking forward to the party after the church service. But looking back, both of us have said that the church service was actually our favourite part of the whole day. Obviously, it holds the most important bit with the vows etc, but more than that…I suppose everything else you do on your day is with other people, but the service truly felt that it was just Ben and me – as if the whole congregation were behind a hidden screen, and Ben and I were just there in our very special and happy place :)
If you could do it all over again, which one thing wouldn’t you change, and if anything, what one thing would you change?
Oh, my word I don’t know! We loved every bit of it! I guess we were so so so happy with all of the suppliers, but the band truly made the party memorable – a big shout out to the Drat Pack who got 99% of the wedding party dancing and singing all night! Having a videographer (Thank you Andy!) also was the best bit of advice we received from other people!
One thing we would change..erm…I guess I could say for brides to be – I thought I was being helpful in giving my bridesmaids options for bridesmaids dresses for them to come to a decision. It was a LOT more hassle than it was worth (hahaha I had 6 different opinions!). Just tell them what they are going to wear and they’ll be a lot happier with that than having to decide themselves!
How and why did you choose your venue?
Though neither Ben or I are from Dartmouth, it holds a special place in both our hearts. Ben started his Navy career at BRNC and we have fond memories of partying until dawn at their fantastic Navy Balls. That added to the tranquillity and beauty Dartmouth offers when we go and stay for a long weekend made us feel we wanted to get married down there. We came across Dartington Hall after my parents had suggested it. One look and we had fallen in love. It was just what we wanted – a romantic and quintessentially English country wedding venue…without needing to worry about torrential rain with a marquee in a field!
Supplier List
Photography by Devon and Cornwall Wedding Photographer, Barney Walters
Ceremony Venue: St Petrox Church, Dartmouth
Reception Venue: Dartington Hall
Videographer: Foster Filming
Hair Stylist: Plymouth Hair by Cassie (Bridal Hair)
MUA: Rachel Raffety
Band/DJ: The Drat Pack
Fireworks: Celebration Pyrotechnics
Florist: Blue Geranium
Chauffeur: Celebration Vintage Cars
Wedding Rings: AWP Jewellers
