Back to the bay for the 2nd wedding of the season, my good friends Laura and Martin were tying the knot after many happy years together. It was a flying visit, just over 24 hours, as we left London at 4pm Saturday and were ensconced infront of the TV at 8pm sharp Sunday ready for the World Cup finals!

The happy couple signed the registry at a private affair in Newton Abbott before heading to The Orestone Manor Hotel in Maidencombe to celebrate. A gorgeous boutique family run hotel set in the peaceful village of Maidencombe in Devon. The Victorian manor is set in the hills of the village overlooking Lyme bay which can just about be seen through the countryside below. Full of character and quality!

Book your wedding, weekend break or even lunch at Orestone Manor:
http://www.orestonemanor.com/

The bride Laura looked stunning in her delicate lace strapless gown which she had altered to emphasise the flattering fishtail effect ending in a small flowing train.

The bridesmaids had smart black dresses on bearing one shoulder and cradling red bouquets to match the bride. The black and white theme stayed throughout with the groom and his groomsmen looking stylishly cool in their black tailed suits and light patterned vests accompanied by striking red ties, pocket squares and boutonnieres. Their outfits were completed with funky black and white converse style shoes, very chic!!

Sticking with the black, white and red theme was the cake, and OMG was it amazing! The three tier piece of art was made by Mortonhampstead based ‘Nibble and Scoff’ by Joella Housego. Consisting of 3 flavours which I believe were chocolate, fruit cake and vanilla, lemon with a hint of red velvet. The design was fantastic, taking the theme from Tim Burton’s ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ including a very detailed Jack and Sally mimicking the outfits of the bride and groom with the lyrics ‘simply meant to be…’ from the film delicately written in icing on the side. As the website states these cakes really are ‘delicious works of art’!

Get your own personalised cake from Nibble and Scoff:
http://www.nibbleandscoff.co.uk/

Here’s to the happy couple! Who are now on their way to travel the West Coast of America in a convertible for their honeymoon. They even named their tables at the reception after the various places they will be visiting including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego.

We headed back to London on Sunday taking a leisurely route to explore the beautiful views the English Countryside has to offer instead of the bleak traffic of the A303! We stopped for lunch at Monkton Court Hotel on the A30 in Honiton.

The Lounge

The Garden

The staff are very friendly and welcoming and the chefs serve the food in style. I can highly recommend the traditional roasts and if you can fit in a pudding the Pimms Jelly is to die for! The presentation is elegantly artistic, especially the delicate icing topping the sticky toffee pudding.

Pimms Jelly

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Book now at http://www.monktoncourthotel.co.uk/

We then continued the journey passing through Glastonbury and the Somerset levels before reaching Cheddar Gorge. An area owned by the National Trust close to the village of Cheddar, the limestone gorge is accessed along a winding road lined with a few cafes and shops, there are many places to park for the variety of activities on offer.

The gorge is set on top of deep caves, you can climb to the top of the gorge at your own will but to explore the caves, attend a bat tour or go rock climbing you need to purchase a ticket, either beforehand online or at the kiosk when you arrive. The site is a huge tourist destination as well as educational facility so can become exceptionally busy.

http://www.cheddargorge.co.uk/

After a long drive home and what felt like a very speedy weekend having covered most of the South West in less than 24 hours it is safe to say we were a little exhausted. Well we made it home just in time for the World Cup final accompanied by a chinese takeout – well done Germany!

Lexie xxx