This adorable pair are guaranteed to make you smile – indeed their smiles are beaming out of every photo! Amy is in the RAF, and can move around the country at the drop of a hat, so they’d messaged for three months before they met, and Sophie feels that this meant they really got to know each other and had discussed what was important to them before they’d even seen each other in real life. As soon as they met each other they felt that spark and knew it was meant to be, and were married within a year! When it comes to the proposal, it turns out that both had secretly been preparing to propose to the other, both had asked the other’s parent/s for permission and once they’d planned a trip to the Lake District, both had been secretly contacting a mutual friend to make arrangements to make it special. It was more a case of who would get there first and Amy was the winner! (We feel they were both winners!) They fell in love with Donnington Park Farmhouse as soon as they saw it and knew they didn’t want to wait years, so went for it! They proved that you can in fact organise a wedding in four months, but are very grateful to their family and friends for all of their help – from decorating the venue to making the cake!

“I’ve never been a girly girl – at playtime at school I’d always be rolling in the mud or playing rugby – and I’ve not been one for dresses. However, when it came to getting married there was a little part of me that wanted to be a princess, wanted to be that girly girl just for one day. I felt like I didn’t have any idea what kind of dress I should choose, and was really nervous that this would be a problem but even from the first email Donna reassured me that it was quite the opposite and that we’d have so much fun. A friend had recommended Alice Rose and both Joanne and Donna were so friendly that they felt like an extended part of the bridal party. It was so relaxed and personalised that it felt like we were round a mate’s house trying on dresses and I’m so grateful to everyone at Alice Rose for going above and beyond for us, especially when I had such a tight deadline. It’s the little touches that meant so much – for instance, they made personalised hangers for both of us, and every time we see our wedding outfits hanging up it makes us smile.”

“Everyone in my bridal party picked a dress they thought would suit me, and when it came to Kennedy by Romantica of Devon I wasn’t sure. Donna encouraged me to just try it on and see and once it was on, I didn’t want to take it off! Everyone was crying – even Joanne and Donna – and I looked like a princess! I loved its distinctive, unique lace and the fact that it was strapless really suited me. It was girly but not overly so. And as a horse rider the way the horse hair created amazing swirls in the skirt meant that it was meant to be!”

“It was so unique that some of my guests assumed it had been custom made for me. It fit in with the rustic feel of Donnington Park Farmhouse and fit in perfectly with each transition, from the ceremony in the Threshing Barn, through the wedding breakfast all the way to dancing the night away in the evening. It was just perfect. Kids could hide under my skirt and it also hid my trainers – which were needed for all the dancing I did! I loved how I could combine my trainers with such a beautiful dress – it really was a case of saying, “This is me.””

“My advice is it’s your day so enjoy it and do what you want to do, rather than trying to please everyone. Oh, and wear the trainers!”

Sophie’s mesmerising Kennedy by Romantica of Devon is from our fabulous boutique. Book an appointment HERE or ring 01530 587210 to make your dream dress appointment. 

Credits:

All Photography by Robyn at Treble Eye Photography: www.trebleeye.com

Make Up by Alexandra: instagram.com/makeupbyalexandra 

Hair by Jorge at Arvy’s Hairdressing: facebook.com/ArvysHairdressingBeauty

Flowers by Jenny Boyce (Amy’s sister in law!)

Cake by Laura Tapsell (Amy’s sister!)

Venue Donnington Park Farmhouse: parkfarmhouse.co.uk/weddings