Mr & Mrs Woodman have kindly allowed me to share their wonderful wedding day with you.
19th January 2013 at St Audries Park proved to be the most perfect day for a true white winter wedding. Only a day beforehand frantic phone calls were being made by Emma and Ben rather concerned that the unusual heavy snowfall in mid Devon and Somerset may hinder the Bridal party’s arrival as well as the guests. This was not to be, very little gets in the way of Team St Audries when we have a wedding planned!
With paths and driveways salted and gritted we awaited the arrival of Emma and her party the night before the wedding to stay in Holly Cottage.
After a fun night with friends and family, Emma and her party woke early to the delivery of Chef’s fresh warm croissants to Holly Cottage. At 9am, Janette, our Front of House Manager showed Emma and the girls to the Brides Dressing Room in the Main House where they spent the morning having their hair done and makeup applied. We did hear lots of laughter and giggles too I have to report!
Ben arrived at 11am and made his way to the Cocktail Bar to meet some of his guests. The Groomsmen made their way to the Lady Hood Suite where they dressed ready for the wedding and looked very smart with matching suits and cravats in stunning deep purple.
The Orangery was the setting for the ceremony which took place at 2pm, and yes all of the guests arrived on time! Emma was even on time too and made a grand entrance, looking absolutely stunning.
Welcome Drinks and Canapes were then served in the Great Hall in front of the roaring open fire.
Emma and Ben spent what seemed a fairly long time outside in the snow having some wonderful photographs taken. Emma said that she didn’t feel the cold as she was just so excited!
At 4.30pm the guests entered the Banqueting Hall to taste the delightful wedding breakfast that Chef and his team had prepared. Emma and Ben had chosen a super menu for their guests- brie and red onion tart followed by slow braised belly of pork and lemon tart for dessert. The children enjoyed their very own menu consisting of garlic bread followed by Free Range Chicken goujons and trio of ice cream for dessert. The speeches followed and everyone raised their glasses to Emma and Ben.
The evening party started with the arrival of additional evening guests. They were greeted in the Great Hall to the sounds of our super resident DJ playing tunes to get the guests in the mood for dancing and the party ahead. Emma and Ben started the evening off with their first dance and then the party continued into the night!
Guests were then delighted with the arrival of the evening hot and cold buffet at 9pm.
The end of a very special day was fast approaching and at midnight the dancing and music was slowly drawing to a close. Farewells were exchanged and sleepy guests enjoyed a luxurious overnight stay.
Our famous St Audries Park breakfast was served in the Banqueting Hall at 9am the following morning to around 60 hungry guests. Everyone was busy chatting and saying how wonderful the wedding had been, and of course the snow was a talking point too.
Team St Audries all agreed that Emma and Ben’s wedding was such a lovely occasion, filled with happiness and laughter. They are a wonderful couple with super family and friends. It is always sad to say good bye but we always know it is only temporary as our couples always come back to visit us…
Emma and Ben wrote:-
“We could not have wished for a better day- we had what many people dream of- a perfect white wedding. The venue was beautiful, the food was incredible and the staff were amazing. There is not one thing we would have changed about our big day.”
Photographs taken by West Photography
Alyson at St Audries Park
