A Wedding in Devon

Published September 17, 2011

Alex and Richard are both research scientists. They met in the lab! It was a great pleasure to be able to photograph such a unique wedding. Alex was brought up in Brentor on the edge of Dartmoor National Park in Devon. It was back here, in her parents’ garden that the reception was held. They had the great privilege of marrying in St Michael De Rupe Church which is said to be amongst one of the highest and smallest churches in England. Alex and her family are all very musical. On the piano at her parent’s home I found a Welsh song sheet. They had all been learning it for the church service as the groom is Welsh. The majority of the flowers in the bouquets had been grown and gathered by Alex’s mother from her own garden. Alex and her sister bound the flowers together with pins and ribbon before heading off to church.

So we set off up the hill to the fabulous St Michael De Rupe Church which translates into St Michael of the Rock. During the service the vicar made many references to the symbolism of the rock in relation to marriage. Alex’s grandfather is a very vibrant Frenchman. He chatted away in French to all of us all afternoon – he certainly tested my very rusty skills! He played the violin while Alex and Richard signed the marriage register and later again at the reception. After some time outside the church all of the guests and the vicar headed off down the hill while we stayed behind to take a few photos and give Alex and Richard a chance to have some time alone. Alex’s parents live a stone’s throw from the church, in fact you can see it from their garden. They had fantastic weather and it looked like they were just getting settled into a good party as we headed home for the day – congratulations Mr and Mrs Davies!