For my last wedding of the year I head down to the towns of Torquay and Paignton in Devon on the English Riviera. Gill and John married at Paignton Parish Church, a wonderful old sandstone building which has parts dating back to 1327. Upton arrival at the church the guests were treated to what was perhaps the most torrential downpour of the winter so far. Luckily it managed to stop minutes before the arrival of the bride, who was given away by her children, Sam and Amy.
Gill and John are both keen cyclists and there was a bit of a bike theme to the proceedings. After the ceremony their friends from the cycling club made an arch for the recessional. After which Gill and John made their exit to the Redcliffe Hotel on Mildred, their trusty tandem.
They were joined at the Redcliffe for their wedding breakfast by a small group of family and friends before heading to the Hookhills and Broadsands Park Community Centre for their evening reception. Once there the guests were treated to an old fashioned West Country hoe down. The music was provided by the rather excellent Swain’s Gold, who kept the dance floor packed until closing time. There was also a sweet stuffed piñata which resulted in me nearly getting my head (and more importantly my cameras) caved in by a stick wielding bride! Here’s a few pictures from Gill and Johns big day . . .