Devon couple win £8,000 dream wedding

A couple from Cullompton are in an ‘excited panic’ after winning an £8,000 dream wedding - thanks to Mercure Southgate and Radio Exe.

Carla Pillivant and Toby Rowland have been together for two years and got engaged in June when he popped the question on the beach at sunset.

They are now planning a luxury wedding celebration at the top Exeter hotel in Southernhay after beating more than 30 other couples to the prize.

Carla said: “We are so excited to have won. The most I have ever won until now is £20 on a scratch card so this is just incredible. The panic is on because the wedding will be in May, but it is a very excited panic.”

Carla, 27, is originally from Cullompton and Toby, who is 24, moved there from Taunton a year ago to be with her.

She added: “We knew right from the start who our bridesmaids would be and Toby has two best men. It is fantastic that we can now plan everything else. The Southgate is a lovely hotel and will be just right for us.”

Brides and grooms-to-be called Radio Exe when the station played marriage-related songs. Lucky entrants were invited to the grand final at the Mercure Southgate. They then had to select a balloon at random, with one lucky balloon containing the fantastic prize!

The glitzy package also includes the bridal gown and menswear, a cake, flowers, stationary and photos. There is even a manicure for the bride-to-be and three-month membership to Spa Natural Fitness in the hotel.

Alyson Bateman, Wedding Specialist at the Southgate, said she was thrilled for Carla and Toby.

“They are a lovely couple and it is wonderful that they have won their dream wedding. We are looking forward to planning it with them and making sure that they have a fantastic day.”

Radio Exe’s breakfast show presenter Ben Clark, who hosted the grand final at the Mercure Southgate, said: “All weddings are memorable, but Carla and Toby will be able to look back on their wedding day with an even better story. Everything about their dream wedding is taken care of.”

Exeter businesses donated parts of the package from Lugets giving free suit hire and La Bella Bridal kitting out the bride and mother-of-the-bride to Kate Burt Cakes giving the cake and Rosie the Florist doing the flowers.

The package includes Kooky Booths with a fun photo booth for guests to enjoy, Purity Boutique Spa doing the bride’s make-up and manicure, KCB Images doing the photos and Your Perfect Night giving a disco, allowing guests to party the night away.

Summer and Lola, the Hair Boutique, is also offering hair-up for the bride and two bridesmaids. Other businesses who have donated are the Little City Paperie, B:Spoken.two, Cockington Chocolate Company, Party Lights and Virgin Holidays.