Military Tradition at Kirsty and Matt’s East Soar Farm Wedding

FPM Music Management
Sep 19, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Mar 12

Sword arches. Rock anthems. Scratchcards on the tables. And a dance floor that didn’t stand a chance.

Kirsty and Matt’s wedding at East Soar Outdoor Experience was one of those days that kept everyone on their toes—proud military tradition one minute, full-volume emo nostalgia the next. With 100 guests gathered to celebrate the newly named Mr and Mrs Lloyd-Hawes, it was a celebration packed with personality from start to finish.

A Ceremony with Serious Style

Matt and his groomsmen wore full RAF uniform, medals polished, and every detail sharp. After the ceremony, they formed a traditional sword arch for the couple to walk through—confetti flying, guests cheering. It was proud, powerful and properly special.

Kirsty looked incredible in all white—timeless and elegant—and later, a glowing South Devon sunset gave them the kind of golden-hour photos couples dream about.

Love at First Bite

No one was leaving this wedding hungry.

Canapés did the early rounds—Yorkshire puddings piled high with beef and horseradish, chorizo and honey croustades, prawn and Marie Rose puffs, Thai fishcakes and belly pork skewers, all disappearing almost as quickly as they arrived.

Then the BBQ fired up. Pork belly ribs, stacked burgers, peri-peri chicken, sausages, corn on the cob and grilled veg—proper crowd-pleasing fuel for the night ahead.

Later, the “Love at First Bite” snack station drew a steady queue—think Frazzles, Skips, Snickers, Monster Munch, all of the classics—a playful sugar-and-salt combo that absolutely hit the spot. Add a cigar selection for those feeling suave and a few competitive scratchcards on the tables, and you’ve got yourself a wedding that knows how to keep guests entertained before hitting the dance floor.

The Soundtrack

The first dance was “Die With A Smile” by Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga, performed by a female soloist—intimate, modern and full of feeling.

During the first dance, the groom lifts the bride playfully while a vocalist performs on stage, and guests watch on

From 7.15pm, The Atlantic took over—and things shifted gears.

Managed by FPM Music Management, The Atlantic are a four-piece wedding band performing across Devon and the wider South West. Known for their female-led vocals and energetic live sets, they specialise in reading the room and building momentum—something that came in handy with a guest list ready for rock, indie and 80s throwbacks.

Kirsty and Matt’s must-plays included “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” by Wham!, “Sound of the Underground” by Girls Aloud and the non-negotiable “Welcome to the Black Parade” by My Chemical Romance.

There were nods to Paramore, Blink-182, Bon Jovi and Fleetwood Mac—plus plenty of big choruses that had everyone singing.

No ABBA megamix. No Grease megamix. No over-the-top cheese. Just a properly packed dance floor and guests giving it everything they’ve got.

A South Devon Party with Room to Roam

Set on a National Trust farm above Salcombe, East Soar has that brilliant “middle of nowhere, but in the best way” feel—rolling countryside, sea air and loads of space for guests to relax and celebrate.

It usually hosts outdoor learning experiences for schools and youth groups, so it feels welcoming and grounded rather than overly formal, which suited Kirsty and Matt perfectly.

For the band, it was a dream set-up too. With no restrictive sound limiter cutting the music mid-song, The Atlantic were able to deliver a full, dynamic live show while still keeping volume levels comfortable for guests. When logistics are smooth, the atmosphere takes care of itself—and this one certainly did.

As darkness settled in and evening sparklers lit up the sky, the energy never dropped. Arms in the air. Voices hoarse. Zero holding back.

Military precision meets coastal festival vibes.

Exactly what a South West wedding should look like.

Planning a Devon Celebration to Remember?

If you’re looking for a wedding band in Devon that can handle everything from heartfelt first dances to pop-punk anthems—and keep your dance floor busy while they’re at it—FPM Music Management would love to hear about your plans.

Get in touch today to check availability.