AN INTIMATE AFFAIR

from Your Devon and Cornwall Wedding - Issue 32 July/August 2021

THE DARLING BUDS OF MAY

Couples planning a wedding later this autumn will love Tia and Nathan’s pretty-in-pink Halloween theme at Elfordleigh in Plymouth finished with burgundy, black and white touches

Images courtesy of Louise Richey Photography

Tia and Nathan Hayward married on 31st October 2020 at Elfordleigh in Plymouth, Devon.

Tia and Nathan met via an online dating app and chatted for a few weeks before enjoying their first date. “We kept making plans to meet up but I kept getting nervous and rearranging at the last minute,” Tia tells us. “We agreed to meet for his birthday and I knew I couldn’t let him down again so we finally met and the rest is history.”

The couple became engaged just after Christmas. “We had already chosen the ring together and Nathan surprised me after asking my dad for permission,” Tia says. “It was a mutual decision to get married because we were separated for ten days during a family holiday and had never been apart for that long before. We knew then that we should just do it!”

SETTING THE SCENE

The couple enjoyed an intimate wedding at Elfordleigh in Plymouth. After originally planning a wedding with 100 guests, they had to significantly reduce numbers because of the lockdown restrictions. “It was heartbreaking to make this decision at first but we’re glad that we did,” Tia explains. “We waited two years to secure our wedding date during Halloween, which is one of our favourite times of the year, and we weren’t going to let the pandemic stand in the way of us becoming Mr and Mrs.”

Tia and Nathan chose their venue after visiting and feeling very comfortable there. “We were both impressed by the incredible views and room décor,” Tia tells us. “We chose to have our ceremony in the conservatory which was intimate and warm, illuminated by fairylights and a stunning chandelier. The Reynolds Room, where we enjoyed our wedding breakfast, was perfectly decorated in shades of light grey and white with dark wood flooring and sumptuous black velour cushions.”

“With a wedding party of just 13 guests, we decided to have three tables with two couples seated at each,” Tia explains. “Our centrepieces were silver candelabras surrounded by a floral wreath containing dark spiky foliage, black baccara roses and dusky pink avalanche roses. As a nod to Halloween, we included

small white pumpkins and painted the stalks black.”

Tia’s brother is a graphic designer and created name cards, which included everyone’s meal choices, and an A3-size table plan which the team at the venue presented on an easel. “My friend from school owns a personalised cookie-making company,” Tia tells us. “She made us some personalised white pumpkin-shaped cookies featuring our name and wedding date to match our décor and everyone loved them!”

The couple’s florist did an amazing job bringing their pink Halloween theme to life. “I still have my bouquet now and even after the flowers have dried out, they look beautiful,” Tia tells us. “We opted for a quirky white wedding cake which had two square-shaped tiers placed over one round one. It was iced with a dramatic black dripping rose and the top layer was Nathan’s favourite flavour, carrot cake, and the bottom tier was my favourite, red-velvet cake.”

LOOKING THE PART

Tia found the dress of her dreams in Prudence Gowns bridal boutique located in Exeter. “My mum and nan visited with me after trying on plenty of dresses at other places,” Tia explains. “I chose a chiffon and floral lace style with subtle sparkle by the designer Stella York. It made me feel feminine, but not too girly, and I didn’t want to take it off!”

Nathan and his groomsman wore burgundy three-piece skinny-fit suits. “They both looked so handsome and felt comfortable, even after eating a three-course meal!” Tia tells us. “Our beautiful bridesmaid wore an ivory dress and kept telling me all night how pretty she felt in it.”

TIME TO ENTERTAIN

Tia’s mum surprised the couple with a homemade photo booth featuring a rose gold-coloured backdrop, fun props and a polaroid camera. “Some of the photographs were put into our guest book alongside messages from our loved ones which was an entertaining read the following evening,” Tia tells us.

“The staff at the venue were so welcoming and the food was delicious! We’re planning to head back for our wedding anniversary.” - Tia and Nathan

“I have never laughed so much than when we were on the golf buggy driving around the grounds with our photographers. The boys should have left us girls to drive because I’m pretty sure we feared for my white dress! Our photographers had us laughing from the start and we, along with our guests, felt so comfortable with them. They captured those precious little moments.” - Tia and Nathan