Nicole and Will - A Bridwell House Wedding

A Bridwell wedding is something to be celebrated. The family home of Lord Ivar Mountbatten, it offers one of the most exclusive wedding venues in Devon today. For Nicole and Will through, a Bridwell wedding was an opportunity for Will to return to home (he grew up in sight of Bridwel) and for New Yorker Nicole to find out just how special this wonderful place is. For some, organising a wedding from overseas can be a logistical nightmare. Not for Nicole and Will, they managed to organise their wedding from their home in New York with complete ease. My first Skype call with Nicole demonstrated the relaxed calm air with which they were approaching the day. Calm is always good. As this was my first Bridwell wedding I was excited to explore the venue and see the photographic possibilities that it presented.

The wedding day

The wedding party stayed at Bridwell on the night before the wedding. Bridwell has ample accomodation allowing for this to be achieved with ease. I arrived on the day of the wedding to a flurry of activity as the bridal party were kept occupied with hair and make up. Meanwhile, the groom and groomsmen occupied themselves running through the extensive grounds of Bridwell (a fine way to burn off the adrenalin). 

The day was guaranteed to run smoothly due to the wonderful Blue Fizz Events being on hand to oversee the proceedings.

The perfect english country wedding

The wedding ceremony was held in the beautiful chapel at Bridwell. A short walk from the main house it was a perfect location for this Bridwell wedding. The ceremony was conducted by a celebrant friend of the couple (the legal element would be undertaken a couple of weeks later back in New York). Personal and bespoke, with vows individually written by Nicole and Will. Emotions were certainly running high. Confetti was followed by drinks and canapés on the lawns overlooking the grounds of Bridwell, in the background herds of deer quietly grazed. Very unique, very tranquil, the perfect English country wedding. 

For the bride and groom shots. We wandered around the grounds. I loved the veteran oak trees that grace the skyline. It is a perfect location. Devon at its best. The wedding breakfast was held in the orangery. This is a beautiful room set in it’s own garden which was later illuminated with Chinese lanterns hanging from the trees.

The wedding reception

With the first dance finished, the wedding guests hit the dance floor for a party that was destined to go on into the small hours of the day. As I drove back down the drive of Bridwell I looked across to the house, sitting illuminated against the dark night sky. I’m lucky to work at some incredible venues. Bridwell, however, is something special. Is it possible to fall in love with a wedding venue. Yes, it is. I know, because I have absolutely fallen in love with Bridwell.