A couple’s spotlight; Kate and Kev.

Kate and Kevin celebrated their wedding in 2015, they were the first couple I married, I’ll always be grateful to the trust they placed in me and the confidence they gave me to be a Celebrant.

They’re a characterful couple; they met at a friend’s party, Kev was bowled over by Kate’s banter, with her knock out swipes and witty retorts, he knew immediately he had met his match and that Kate is the one. They spent a joy filled couple of years po-going around the rave and festival scene. Kate though did not realise Kev was the one until a year or so after they met when her dear Dad fell ill and passed away. Kev’s solid support through one of the worst times in her life revealed to Kate that he was perfect for spending the rest of their days together.

Kev is a 6½’ builder from North Devon, one’s first impressions might be a happy go lucky, go with the flow giant of a bloke, a cheeky chappy waiting for his next meal but when you have the pleasure of knowing him he has depths he doesn’t reveal to any old Tom, Dick or Harry – his heart is heartier than his appetite! Kate is a small (5’) but mighty Creative, Ceramicist by trade. She focused her sharp mind to developing a conglomerate of artists offering studio spaces and community workshops for less-privileged groups in and around Exeter, she is considered one of the leaders within the city’s artsy scene.

Kate is a mother to all, she loves to feed (one of the clinchers for Kev I reckon), not long after arrival in their home you have a drink in your hand and a warm welcome to get comfy, Kate shares and shows her soul through the welcome she has for so many.

Kate appreciates all that is beautiful, she’s the type of person who walks into a shop or someone’s home and has to touch things for their texture. Their home is full of colour, humour, warmth and comfort. Kev appreciates atmosphere, the tone of things, he’s not so much for prearranged or pressured fun, he’s more for the impromptu and relaxed; Kev is hygge in human form!

Kate and Kev appreciate comfort and are gifted with a good eye for excellence and style, they are a couple of those envy-inducing people who can shrug on whatever clothes they find and look amazing. Their priority is to feel comfortable, it’s less about the look so what they achieve is effortless style. They are not judgemental people, they are not mainstream in their tastes and rarely subscribe to fashion trends. Kev loves snowboarding, Kate doesn’t but she appreciates the bars and chilling reading her book while the others slide around on the white stuff. Or she plans and effortlessly prepares their meal for when they get back to the base.

They love being with nearest or dearest, some of their dears though are not so near, they have family in South Africa, Australia and France whom they meet up with at least once a year in a ski resort or in their homes in Capetown, Melbourne, Toulouse or with Kate and Kev, in or on the outskirts of Exeter, in and around Devon.

Kate often refers to Kev as ‘Buggalugs’, Kev refers to Kate as ‘Angel’ or ‘Babber’. Kate and Kev absolutely adore each other.

For them, their wedding was about the bringing together of family and friends to celebrate across a whole weekend of drinking, eating, dancing, lounging, more eating and drinking. Their ‘mission’ for their wedding was fun, diversity and comfort.

When it came to planning for their wedding Kate disliked the side of things that involved the dress, make up, hair etc. It was too much pressure on the things that are not important to her, she wanted to feel beautiful but baulked at the effort. She found her way though, stepped into her discomfort zone to achieve the desired result on the day. Kev knows he looks good in a suit, he and his best man wore ‘pucker’ suits.

They rented out a farm in North Devon for a weekend. Their ceremony was in the old stable block. There were about 300 friends and family cramming the room. The ceremony told their story, how they fell in love, incorporated all of their character and humour and most importantly introduced their family and friends to the importance of marriage to Kate and Kev, the meaning behind their promises. They shared rings and among their vows were for Kev to reach all of the high up things and Kate to tackle all of the fiddly things that Kev’s gargantuan hands struggle with! They recognised passed loved ones by mention in their ceremony and set place for Kate’s Dad’s and Kev’s Mum’s favourite tipples. We all sang and danced Happy Together by The Turtles. Toward the end of the ceremony the couple turned to their guests and requested that all in their own way, through their gifts, diversity and connection to Kev and Kate, that they support their marriage to stay true to the promises they had just made and which, in their future adventures and endeavours, will keep them strong. Their guests, with heart and gusto, cheered ‘we will’. Which led, a few moments later to uproaring, ear splitting applause as Kate and Kev had their first kiss of married life and then stepped through their family and friends, through ongoing noise and amazingly colourful gusts of confetti.

It was gorgeous weather thankfully so they enjoyed drinks and lounging in the gardens while delicious canapes and some of their favourite tunes kept the atmosphere glowing. The meal and speeches were in a marquee, a sumptuous feast was enjoyed by all. The after party started with golden oldies but after 2am it was Kate and Kev’s favourite genre to let loose to: drum and bass.

Guests stayed in the main house or camped in and around the gardens. K&K spent their wedding night in a tree house. A lot of people left the following day, after a hearty breakfast and a hangover soothing bloody mary for the passengers. But then, family and friends who have been adopted as family remained on the farm, spending time and enjoying the beautiful weather, staying in the glow, regaling stories and sharing photos from the last day or so, until departure on Monday morning.

Kate and Kev then toured the world on a mega-moon, mainly visiting family and friends that live far and stopping off in East Asia and South America along the way.

I’m ending on full disclosure, this was before I qualified, I am a close friend of Kate’s brother and I am one of those who has been ‘adopted’ as family. Off the back of an idle suggestion made by said brother the idea of me marrying them developed. Kate and Kev wanted the natural interest, nurture and appreciation I have in others’ relationships to be the voice of their marriage. They saw in me what I had not yet realised, I was made for and I blooming love this gig! Kate and Kev planted this seed, and here I am, cheers my lovelies!