We look back on the wedding of EW’s Style Director Sarah Joan Ross and John Pockcock held in Devon.
Sarah Joan Ross and John Pocock
Wedding Date: June 4
Location: St Werburgh’s Church, Wembury, Devon, UK
Their story
The couple first met on a photoshoot, where Sarah was dealing with the delectable Naomi Campbell and John had his hands full with a temperamental photographer, and bonded over the trials and tribulations of fashion editorials. With a mutual friend in acquaintance, John kept cropping up on Sarah’s nights out, finally making his move at her 30th birthday party.
After a first date to see a movie, followed by six years of dating, John proposed under a beautiful tree in their garden, with his grandmother’s ring, which he nicknamed the ‘stunt double’. After a shopping trip or two, they found the perfect replacement – a stunning antique art deco, platinum and diamond ring from A Simmonds in Canterbury, UK.
The ceremony took place at St. Weburgh’s Church in Wembury, which overlooked Wembury beach, followed by a relaxed and fun-filled affair at the beautiful Buckland Abbey, a National Trust property in Devon. With the sun shining and fouls, lambs and bunnies out in force in the fields, the day was truly picture perfect. Their honeymoon in The Seychelles, finished off the festivities perfectly.
Their wedding
Venue: The Great Barn at Buckland Abbey, a 13th century National Trust property in Devon. Theme: English country charm.
Dress: A strapless French lace Collette Dinnigan gown from Bloomingdale’s, Dubai.
Veil: Original 1920s French floral crown from www.cherishedbride.com, with a vintage veil embellished by Amato Couture by Furne One.
Shoes: Christian Louboutin.
Wedding rings: John’s was Asprey and mine was handmade by Cara Jewellers in Dubai.
Flowers: Rustic-looking white flowers from H.Watts, while the bridal bouquet and tie-pins were designed by stylists Bonnie Turner and Sam Dean.
First dance: Fleetwood Mac I Need Your Love.
Food: All organic and locally-produced beef and chicken and a delicious West Country cheese board.
Cake: We had meringues, homemade scones Devonshire and mini chocolate fondant squares.
Music: Friends of ours play in a band and so played a few sets for us.
Unique touches: We provided vintage postcards for everyone to write well wishes or words of wisdom. The favours were either a book of love poetry, or a ‘recovery kit’ – both wrapped in brown paper with string bows.
Sarah’s wedding tips
• Make sure the back of the dress is as beautiful as the front, as that’s what most people see throughout the day.
• Break in your shoes for a few weeks before, so you can walk, dance and be merry all with happy feet.
• Lighting and music are very important for the ambience – ensure both are exactly what you want before the big day.
Little black bridal book
Photographer: John Smith
Florist: H.Watts
Honeymoon: Seychelles
Jewellers: Cara Jewellers
Venue: Buckland Abbey
Invitations: Anna Maksic
