Eleanor and Nathan's 'Rustic Boho' South Devon Farm Wedding by Samuel Box Photography

Happy Monday everyone and welcome to another busy fun filled week on the blog! I hope you all had a good weekend? Mine was chilled and relaxed, just what I needed as the next few weekends I’m away or out, so lots planned in the diary! I am starting the week with this rustic dream of a wedding. Eleanor and Nathan fell in love with East Soar Farm as soon as they visited it, it gave them everything they wanted to host their South Devon Farm Wedding. They wanted a vegan menu, lots of space for DIY projects, and filled the barn with recycled decoration, along with autumnal themed flowers and lots of personal touches. Friends and family all chipped in and helped them bring their vision to light, making the day super personal and full of love. Eleanor and Nathan are so obviously besotted with each other and these photos by Samuel Box Photography really bring out the love and fun between this gorgeous couple.

A rustic, boho dream. A day filled with unconditional endless love.

Eleanor and Nathan were married on 17th September 2022 at St. Mary’s Church in Totnes with the reception at East Soar Farm, Kingsbridge in South Devon. ‘My grandad was the Vicar of St. Mary’s and all my family get married there. We visited East Soar farm as our first venue, and fell in love and decided immediately we wanted to get married there. We didn’t even look at any other venues. We love the owners and their values. The venue is also used for young people with additional needs, which we loved. There are also many animals (sheep, donkeys, horses) which adds to the experience. Our guests were able to spend the night before at the venue in tipi tents, and the owners cooked us a Potjie (South African stew). They also stayed on the wedding night too – it was so intimate, cosy and special. It also has multiple different parts of the venue to use, and put your own stamp on, including a hayloft, a big open faced barn and a main barn. Many people get married in the field which overlooks the sea – but we decided to have our welcome drinks there instead, as getting married in the church was important to us as Christians. We had 100 people for the day, and an additional 20 people for the evening. It took us one year to plan for our wedding.’

How they met
Nathan and I met when we were 11 years old at school. We were boyfriend and girlfriend for one day until Nathan dumped me! We remained best friends for our childhoods. I went to university in Canterbury and Nathan left to travel Australia in a van. When we both got back at age 21 we were reunited, and fell in love straight away.

The proposal
Nathan surprised me by taking me to Lympstone Manor in Exmouth, a luxury five star hotel right by the beach surrounded by vineyards. We stayed in a shepherds Hut and before dinner Nathan asked me if I wanted to go for a walk. I responded by saying no, I definitely didn’t as I was all dressed up in my heels. However he managed to persuade me somehow! He took me along a path enclosed by greenery surrounded by little ponds and bridges like a fairy tale. At the end when it opened out onto the vineyards with a tree and a swing. When I walked towards the swing I saw it had carved into it ‘Will you marry me’. I don’t know if I even said yes because I was so excited and kept repeating ‘is this real’?. Nathan had asked my dad for my hand in marriage a few months beforehand, and had designed the ring himself. It was absolute perfection, and I am forever grateful.

How did you choose your photographer?
We chose our photographer (Samuel Box Photography) because he was friend of our friends, and we loved his work. We had an engagement shoot with him which was stunning, and we knew straight away we wanted to work with him. He is also so fun and kind, and makes you feel relaxed straightaway. There is nothing he won’t do for a shot (including climbing a mountain).
Sam’s friend Marvin also came along to the church to take some pictures on film, and honestly they were so beautiful and captured our moments perfectly. We will treasure them forever.
Our wonderful videographer Louie Rudge was suggested by Sam – and he was the same. So kind, such a hard worker, and over all lovely. The wedding video is beyond superb, as my Dad said ‘He deserves an Oscar’. The two worked together so well.

The dress
My dress was by Enzoani, and I got it from Champagne and Charlottes in Bideford. I cannot recommend this shop enough, the ladies were so incredibly kind and patient and helped me pick my dream dress. There was no stress involved whatsoever, and each visit to the shop made me even more excited for the big day. On the wedding day, I wore my beautiful Granny’s pearls.

Suit and bridesmaids?
The suits were from Next, and we wanted a neutral colour. It was VERY difficult to find ones this colour and in stock, which made things very stressful! The Bridesmaids Dresses where from a website online, but we needed to take them to a seamstress to fit them to the girls, which was well worth it as they looked beautiful. I loved the open backs, and the colour was so unique.

Make-up and hair
My wonderful childhood friend Ellie did my hair for me, she knew what I wanted straight away, relaxed and boho – and she did it perfectly. I had the most beautiful dried flower hair piece from Etsy ‘The Kraft Flower co’ and got some for my bridesmaids too.
I also had my make up done, which was honestly so perfect by Kayleigh. She was so bright and bubbly and made everything flow so easily. I am so thankful for her – she even let me borrow her perfume!

Theme or colour scheme
Our colour scheme was Autumnal, and we made sure that every part of the wedding kept this colour scheme. We had lots of burnt oranges dark forest greens, and creams.

Flowers
We had Autumnal flowers and made sure that there was burnt orange roses in them. The lovely Alison from Alison’s flower shop in Dawlish put these together for us, along with beautiful buttonholes for the boys, Mum’s, Granny and Granddad.
A couple of days before the wedding we were able to go into a family friends garden to steal some greenery for the tables and other décor, and some beautiful flowers. Everyone was so wonderful. We placed them all over the venue and the centre of the tables, along with ribbons.

Decoration
Most of our decoration was made by my cousin Tiffany, from recycled Sahari’s and other materials. She made beautiful tassels to go from the ceilings too, and a small one for each of the bridesmaids bouquets and inside the tents. The decoration also was the most fun part to do, with all our close family.

Food
All of our food was vegan which was very important to us. The wonderful Belle from The Cactus Kitchen in Torquay catered for us and it was perfection. Even the non-vegans loved it! We had a mixture of everything, hoisin ‘duck’ tacos, mini ‘chicken’ gyros, kung pow crispy cauli wraps ,hummus and caramelised onion cronstinis, roasted and stuffed baby potatoes, apple pear and pecan salads and way more! For the evening ‘hog’ roast baps, and pasties – perfect!

Wedding cake
My beautiful friend and bridesmaid Phoebe made our vegan wedding cake. It was carrot cake, and everybody said it was the best cake they’ve ever tasted. She spent hours doing it all for us – what a beautiful friend we have!

Entertainment
We had perfect wedding DJ’s who were AMAZING, and kept the party going all night – we even danced on tables! They had beautiful heart shaped lights too.

Who supplied the stationery?
Nathan and his Dad made all the signs by hand, and spent hours doing so – I am very grateful! Then my beautiful cousin Tiffany hand wrote them all in beautiful calligraphy. She also hand wrote all the table names and place mats. She worked so hard, and we are so thankful.

Where did you go on your honeymoon?
We went for 2 weeks straight away to Menorca which was beautiful. We had a whole villa to ourselves with our own pool. We drank nice wine, skinny dipped in the sea, and ate tapas all day. We also hired a moped to explore some incredible coves – the ocean was so clear and blue. We have such beautiful memories.

Personal touches
I worked hard with my cousin Tiffany to make this come to light. She is an interior designer so is so talented, and we put our visions together.

Special moments
I loved getting ready with my girls in the morning, and Mum and Granny, walking down the aisle with my Dad, the wedding ceremony and our vows, our pimp your prosecco station and canapes on the lawn over looking the sea, and our first dance.

Advice for other couples
Be yourselves, and let that shine through. Fill your day with love.

Biggest surprise
I surprised my dad with a dance our our favourite song – there wasn’t a dry eye in the house! It was ‘I find your love – Beth Nielsen Chapman’