Hanging on the rails are four identical wedding dresses, one pristine and the others in various stages of ruin – ripped, mud-splattered and bloody.
Tomorrow the hugely popular show – which is celebrating its 10th anniversary – returns to ITV for a sixth series.
Ten million fans should finally see grumpy Doc Ellingham, played by Martin Clunes, and long-suffering Louisa Glasson get hitched. But judging by the state of the gorgeous lace gowns, the course of true love is not going to go smoothly... even on their wedding day.
“When has it ever between these two?” jokes Caroline Catz, who plays Louisa, when the Sunday Mirror was invited behind the scenes.
“Last time they were getting married they jilted each other at the altar.”
Caroline explains the importance of getting the dress just right: “Viewers have waited a long time for this moment – really investing in this quirky love story. The dress needed to be perfect, and Les, the costume designer, and I searched everywhere. Then I was back home in Camden and I spotted this shop – I saw the most beautiful dresses.
“I dragged Les over and they were commissioned more or less on the spot.
“We were even able to build in thermal layers because we filmed the wedding in freezing April and I wasn’t just walking down the aisle, but staggering through a forest... don’t ask!”
The wedding itself was filmed in the pretty Norman church of St Nonna’s in Altarnun, near Bodmin Moor, in front of 150 extras. “We didn’t rehearse,” says Caroline. “I just walked into the church and there was a lovely gasp from the pews. It felt very emotional.”
