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Cotswolds House Hotel Wedding

So Shani and Dan got married at St James Church and The Cotswolds House Hotel in Chipping Campden. I didn’t meet Shani or Dan in person before the wedding as they were so far away but I knew from our Skype call that it was going to be an epic wedding day, not just because Shani and Dan had organised such a wonderful day for all of their guests but because they are such lovely warm fun loving people and guess what?! I was right. It was absolutely perfect, such a relaxed and fun feel to the day, everyone was having the best time and the setting was beautiful, it felt like we were in some gardens in Italys countryside.

I also had the pleasure of working alongside a fantastic team for the day including Ben from Tynegate Films, Richard , The Gloucestershire Magician and my awesome second shooter Siobhan McGill of MgGill Sister Films.

I’m going to let Shani and Dan tell you all about it in their own words.

Thanks for having us Shani and Dan. Lots of love xxxxx

Shani and Dan’s Story

We met at high school and fell for each other whilst in the process of failing A-Level Biology. We were both so terrible at the subject that the teacher sat us together and from that moment on, we didn’t get very much work done! We then completed our A-Levels, took a gap year and travelled to Asia and went on to study Business Management together at University - we really were inseparable!. We graduated with our degrees a few years later, somehow ended up gaining three crazy dogs in that time and continued to do some more travelling, our favourite being a road trip across America. We've now been together for almost ten years and live in the quiet Cotswold town of Chipping Campden, where we got married.

Getting Engaged

Dan took me to Paris for my 21st Birthday and proposed on the Champ De Mars, it was magic! When we returned our family threw us an amazing surprise engagement party. We were quite young when we first got engaged and we decided that we would get married a 'couple' of years later. This somehow turned into a 5 year engagement! So the wedding day was very special for us as we had been planning for it for a long time.

Shani’s favourite thing about Dan is how kind and selfless he is, always helping other people and looking after her in particular! Shani also love how passionate he is about his hobbies.

Dan’s favourite thing about Shani is her smile and how driven she is in everything she does. Nothing phases her and she's such a strong woman.

St James Church and The Cotswold House Hotel in Chipping Campden.

We got married at St James Church in Chipping Campden, which is close to our hearts from our childhood. We had our reception at The Cotswold House Hotel in Chipping Campden. The most important thing for us was for our guests to have a great day. We were so lucky with the beautiful weather that we were able to have our wedding reception outside in the gardens. There were moments throughout the day when we both stood together and looked around at everyone, it was such a lovely feeling watching people enjoying themselves, with the the kids running around the garden, the magician shocking everyone with his entertainment, people tucking into their food and lots of free flowing drinks! Overall there was a really lovely feel to the day and we are so happy with how it all turned out.

The Wedding Dress.

I wore an English Rose Bridal dress from The Bridal Room Broadway. The ladies in the shop were so amazing helping to choose my dream dress and the whole experience was so wonderful, they really made me feel special.

https://www.thebridalroombroadway.co.uk/

A Shout Out to Our Wedding Suppliers.

My mum did my hair for the wedding day, I knew I didn't want anyone else to do it! She's the most wonderful hairdresser and it was so special for me that she was the one helping me to get ready in the morning. She did an amazing job, even though she was so nervous!

Christine Cara was my makeup artist, she was so much fun to be with throughout all of the trials leading up to the wedding day. I chose Christine because of how amazing other people had told me her work was, she didn't disappoint at all! She made me feel confident and helped me to create the look I wanted, even when I couldn't articulate it very well myself!

http://www.christinecaramakeup.com/

Our flowers were by Charlotte Gabb, we chose Charlotte because of her wealth of experience and knowledge of the church. Charlotte was brilliant and we were so happy with the beautiful arrangements.

We had The Gloucestershire Magician, Richard Parsons for our wedding reception entertainment. He was absolutely amazing! Our guests are still talking about how they can't believe the tricks he did. We are still talking about it too! Richard helped us to create that fun, relaxed feeling that we wanted to achieve on the day.

http://www.gloucestershiremagician.co.uk/

Sally Potter made our wedding cake. Sally has been making my birthday cakes since I was 4 years old, so it was really special for me that she did our wedding cake.

Our wedding stationary was made by Cherry Press. We chose Cherry Press because they are a local business who create traditional letterpress stationary the good old fashioned way!

http://www.cherrypress.co.uk/

Ben Tynegate was our videographer. We chose Ben because my sister showed us some of his work and we fell completely in love with it. We knew that his cinematic films were what we wanted to capture our day. We now can't stop watching them and will treasure our beautiful films forever.

https://tynegate-films.com/

We chose Katie Dervin as our wedding photographer as she was recommended by a friend. From the moment we saw Katie's photos we knew we didn't want anyone else to capture the wedding. The lighting and the way they are edited are so beautiful and we wish we could frame all of them and have them all displayed in our house!! Katie was so lovely on the day too, helping us to feel so relaxed and at ease in front of the camera.

We tried to keep the wedding and the decor low key and not too over the top but still with a classic, pretty feel to it. We had lots of fairy lights and candles everywhere to create a nice warm glow, but the venue spoke for itself so we didn't have to bring in too many other decorations.

We put a lot of effort into personalised touches throughout the day, for instance, we made all of the centre pieces ourselves, our wedding guest book and our polaroid timeline and it was so rewarding to see how it all came together beautifully on the day.

We wanted to have a really relaxed day so we chose to have a BBQ instead of a traditional three-course meal, which worked really well. For music throughout the day we made a playlist of our favourite songs growing up together and then we had a DJ in the evening for everyone to dance the night away to!

Shani and Dan’s Stag and Hen Do:

Dan went to Amsterdam for his stag do, he was amazed that he survived the weekend! It consisted of beer, beer tours and more beer. He loved it there and hopes to one day go back to enjoy the city a bit more sober!

I was truly spoiled as a hen, having three wonderful hen do's! The first was a bottomless brunch with all of my lovely girls. The second was a trip to the beautiful Greek island of Mykonos with my bridesmaids. The third was organised by my lovely mum, who got all of the ladies in my family together for a weekend in London and a party boat on the river Thames.

There isn't anything we would do differently really.

The only minor thing is I wish I had kept my veil on for longer! I took it off as it was getting caught on the floor but wish I had kept it on all day!

What would your advice be to couples planning their wedding day?

Enjoy it, it really is so much fun! Don't get too bogged down in the detail and lost in small stuff that doesn't truly matter, try to be well organised in advance and that way you can enjoy it as a couple.

Brides bouquet, pink flowers and pale green leaves. (Copy)

Wedding Dress hanging in the hall way. (Copy)

Brides shoes on windowsill with 6 pence inside. (Copy)

Bridesmaid shoes and the bottom of the bridesmaid dresses. (Copy)

Bride getting ready in the hall as bridesmaid watches from the sitting room. (Copy)

Bridesmaid help to arrange wedding dress hanging from wardrobe. (Copy)

Bridesmaid has a necklace put on her. (Copy)

Bridesmaids watching bride getting ready smiling. (Copy)

Bride getting her make up put on. (Copy)

Mother of the Bride and Sister of the Bride have a moment together as they look at the bride getting ready at Cotswolds House Hotel. (Copy)

Bride comes down to see her bridesmaids in their dresses for the first time. (Copy)

The bride stands in window light as her mother helps her put on her dress. (Copy)

Long shot of Bride having her dress put on in the window light. (Copy)

Bridesmaids see Bride in her wedding dress for the first time. (Copy)

Mother of the brides hat, jacket and purse in some speckled window light. (Copy)

Father of the Bride comes to see his daughter in her wedding dress for the first time. (Copy)

Bridesmaids peeping through the window. (Copy)

Speckled sunlight coming through the trees into the doorway. (Copy)

Bridesmaids waving outside The Cotswolds House Hotel. (Copy)

Groom and Groomsmen leaving the house on the way to the church. (Copy)

Groom leading his groomsmen to the church. (Copy)

St James Church, Chipping, Campden. (Copy)

Groom getting a hug from a wedding guest. (Copy)

Bridesmaids waiting for bride to arrive. (Copy)

Onlookers wait to see the bride enter the church. (Copy)

Bride walks down the church pathway with her dad. (Copy)

Groom waits inside the church with his groomsmen. Best Man looking at his watch. (Copy)

Bride and Father of the Bride walking down the aisle in St James Church in Chipping, Campden. (Copy)

Close up of the brides dress and the grooms suit as they stand together. (Copy)

Bride and Groom photographed through foliage. (Copy)

Bride and groom stand before vicar smiling. (Copy)

Bridesmaids clapping as bride and groom kiss in foreground. (Copy)

Bride and groom walk down the aisle as husband and wife. (Copy)

Bride and Groom walk down the church path towards their guests. (Copy)

Bride and Groom have confetti thrown at them. (Copy)

Bride and Groom laugh as they have confetti thrown out them outside St James Church, Chipping, Campden. (Copy)

Bride and Groom smiling surrounded by guests and covered in confetti. (Copy)

Brides sister cuddles her boyfriend outside the church where her sister has just been married. (Copy)

A little boy watches on from the pavement and people fuss over him. (Copy)

The bride gives her friend a hug as her friend cries. (Copy)

A little hand on the skirt of the brides wedding dress. (Copy)

The bride and groom lead their guests away from the church. (Copy)

The sister of the bride helps her with her veil. (Copy)

Close up of the dress, flowers and veil as the bride and groom walk by. (Copy)

Photograph from the back of the veil. (Copy)

Bride and Groom leads their wedding guests down the street. (Copy)

Bride and Groom walk past the local shops together. (Copy)

Buildings viewed from Cotswolds House Hotel. (Copy)

Lavender in Cotswolds House Hotel Grounds. (Copy)

Wedding Time Table Painted on a Pallet. (Copy)

To The Bar Sign hanging from a tree. (Copy)

Mother and Father of the Bride Cheers each other with champagne at the bar. (Copy)

Bride and Brides sister cheers one and other with champagne. (Copy)

Little girl is picked up so she can play Connect 4 with her two taller friends. (Copy)

Little girl plays connect 4 shot through holes. (Copy)

Little girls running through the garden. (Copy)

Wedding guests enjoying the magic. (Copy)

Bridesmaid fixing grooms suit as bride has a fag. (Copy)

Little boy playing Connect 4 on blanket. (Copy)

Wedding Guests laughing in the bushes. (Copy)

Wedding guests sitting at table laughing. (Copy)

Two male guests chatting together in gardens wearing sunglasses. (Copy)

Brides sister and her boyfriend laugh together. (Copy)

Brides mum laughs with her friends around a table. (Copy)

Brides sister looks excited while holding a card during a magic trick. (Copy)

Magician shows guests a magic trick with a bent fork. (Copy)

Bride and Groom Stand Side by side in Italian looking tree rowed path. (Copy)

Bride and Groom Laugh together in Italian garden. (Copy)

Bride and Groom Having the best day ever! (Copy)

Bride and Groom standing in pathway together. (Copy)

Bride and Groom Holding on and other in front of a row of tall trees. (Copy)

Bride and Groom hold each other laughing in Italian gardens, Cotswolds House Hotel. (Copy)

Bride and Groom together in old Chipping Market Hall. (Copy)

Bride and Groom two step pose outside shop. (Copy)

Bride and Groom walk their dogs under arches. (Copy)

Bride has her dog beg for a treat. (Copy)

Bride stands in the sunlight holding her dog on a lead. (Copy)

Guest Dog Wearing a blue bow tie. (Copy)

Guests standing in garden to listen to speeches. (Copy)

Father of the bride giving speech. (Copy)

Father of the bride giving his speech. (Copy)

Another guest dog looking super cool. (Copy)

The groom gives his speech as the bride looks on supportively. (Copy)

The crowd sit in the garden laughing. (Copy)

Two red haired children and a dog sit listening to the speeches. (Copy)

The 3 men standing to give a speech cheer the bride. (Copy)

The bride laughs while the best man gives his speech. (Copy)

Guest looks on looking emotional. (Copy)

Bridesmaid and mother of the bride crying. (Copy)

Two male guests laughing together. (Copy)

Two female guests laughing together while drinking a cup of tea. (Copy)

Wedding guest holding her daughter. (Copy)

Bride throws bouquet and her sister catches it. (Copy)

Brides sister is very excited to have caught the bouquet. (Copy)

The Bride is also very excited her sister has caught the bouquet. (Copy)

Sister is doing a victory dance with the bouquet as the Bride points at her laughing. (Copy)

Suppliers:

Photographer: Katie Dervin, 2nd shot by Siobhan McGill of mcgillsisterfilms.com/

Videographer: https://tynegate-films.com/

Dress: https://www.thebridalroombroadway.co.uk/

Magician: http://www.gloucestershiremagician.co.uk/

Stationary: http://www.cherrypress.co.uk/

Make Up: http://www.christinecaramakeup.com/

Thornbridge Hall Wedding

Thornbridge Hall

Thornbridge Hall is a grade II listed stately home in the peak district, set in 100 acres of parkland and 14 acres of formal gardens even inch of the place is oozing with personality. Maybe even multiple personalities, the building has had many owners over the years all with different styles and tastes and this comes together in the most fantastic, spell bindingly way. The first thing I noticed when I arrived at Thornbridge Hall was just how many pairs of eyes there are looking at you for the faces calved into the wooden mantelpieces and fire places, to the garden statues whose eyes follow you around as you make your way around the extensive gardens. All of this character means your wedding guests will have plenty to look at and explore on your wedding day, it feels like being on a film set and the mix of styles makes it a fancinating place to wander around.

The Carraige House; a clock towered, glass walled dining hall even boasts a secret underground night club to spring on your guests later in the evening once the party has already been started, again making the experience of being in this venue an adventure in itself.

Thornbridge Hall is a family home and part of the gardens are open to the public, so it isn’t a venue that you can stay in overnight but if you are looking for something with the wow factor, breathtaking English countryside and a wedding venue that is as beautiful and weird as you are… This might just be the place.

Getting ready at Thorn bridge hall

I knew I loved this venue as soon as I saw the suite Ruth was getting ready in, not only is The India Suite huge giving you and your bridal party loads of room to get ready in but the light coming through the huge leaded glass windows was beautiful and it made for an epic start to the day. Having a nice big room to get ready in can really help take the stress out of the morning, with everyone having enough space to relax, take time out and get ready it can really start one of the most important days of your life off with the right tone, plus with loads of space and light you can get some lovely photos of that morning too.

While the Bridal Party had an epic Bridal suite to get ready in, George’s Lads pad downstairs did take the biscuit with a pool table and private bar, the groom and groomsmen had plenty to keep them busy and calm their nerves in the morning. I always think sometimes if the men don’t have much to do in the morning it can let the nerves set in. George and his groomsmen spent the morning greeting wedding guests, playing pool, having a few beers while planning their hilarious and heartfelt speeches. Two perfect wedding mornings running along side one and other.

Thornbridge Hall a wedding venue in Derbyshire

Statue of a bearded man in Thornbridge Hall Formal Gardens

Archway leading onto the back garden of Thornbridge Hall, autumnal trees in the distance.

Two female wedding guests dressed in fancy winter coats chat outside the wedding venue.

Wedding guests arrive on foot back lit by the winter sun.

Wedding guest arrive by taxi wearing a navy blue dress.

The groom laughs as he greets wedding guests outside Thornbridge Hall.

Groomsmen enjoy some beers in the pool room.

A face of an eerie painting reflecting in the bathroom window.

Groomsmen laugh together while writing their speeches.

Groomsmen enjoy the sunlight steaming through the windows while sipping on a beer.

The wedding dress hangs in the hallway of Thornbridge Hall in front of a colourful stained glass window.

Brides red shoes sit in front of a stained glass window.

Bride and her bridesmaids relaxing in The India Suite on the morning of her wedding at Thornbridge Hall.

Mother and sun take some time out together on the bed in The India Suite

The bride and her mother smile and look at a scrap book wedding gift the bride has received from her bridesmaids

Bridesmaid getting her make up done in The India Suite, Thornbridge Hall.

Bridesmaid tell the bride a story as she is having her hair done.

Mother gives her baby some treats at the foot of the bed as the bridesmaids get ready around her.

Bride has her hair done while bridesmaids get ready around her.

Reflection of bride getting her make up done in the mirror.

Mother and child look out of huge leaded window in The India Suit at Thornbridge Hall.

Mother of the Bride laughs while drying her hair.

Brides sits on the floor at a coffee table while writing her speech.

Mother of the bride puts on some earrings.

Bridesmaids partner arrives to pick up his son.

Mother of the Bride smiles as she looks in the mirror

Bridesmaids smile and look on as the Bride begins to get dressed.

Mother of the Bride kneeling on the floor smiling as she helps her daughter into her dress.

Bridesmaids huddle round to watch the instructions of how to fasten the dress on brides phone.

Bridesmaids react to bride wearing her dress!

Bride stands in the window light while putting on her earrings.

Bride stands in the window light and is reflected in the mirror.

The Ceremony

Ruth and Georges beautiful ceremony took place in The Great Hall of Thornbridge Hall, surrounded by stunning Autumnal flower arrangements by the very talented Swallows and Damsons (check them out for some seriously beautiful flowers!). The couples popularity really showed filling the ground floor with guests and then having the rest their friends and family watch the ceremony from balconies over The Great Hall. The ceremony was heartfelt and emotional, with tears and laughter throughout before the couple made their way out of The Great Hall to be met in the back garden by their wedding guests for one of the longest confetti walks I have seen in a while!

After the confetti had been thrown and everyone had had a good old mingle, we grabbed some nice relaxed group shots against the beautiful back drop of the autumnal Derbyshire hills before Ruth and George came for a wander with me through Thornbrigde Halls beautiful manicured gardens to get some lovely relaxed wedding portraits and give them a bit of time out to enjoy each others company of their wedding day.

If you are thinking of having your wedding at Thornbridge Hall there are plenty of different places to hold your ceremony; for couples that want to brave an outdoors ceremony and feel those wonderful Derbyshire manicured lawns underneath your feet as you say I do there is the South Lawn Temple and for smaller indoor ceremonies there is the Music Room or if you are having a bigger winter wedding like Ruth and George you can take advantage The Great Hall and your friends and family watch you for two levels.

wooden calved face in the fire place of The Great Hall

Autumnal flowers dressing the fire place of The Great Hall, Thornbridge Hall.

Guests huddle together to facetime a friend on an ipad.

Sister of the groom laughing while sitting on the front row.

Master of ceremonies greets the wedding guests.

Sister of the groom has tears in her eyes.

First two bridesmaids walk down the aisle.

Sister of the bride walks down the aisle alone.

Two final bridesmaids walk down the aisle.

The groom looks up at his bride making her way to him with tears in his eyes.

Bridesmaids and guests look up as the bride circles them from above

Bride is walked down the aisle by her mother.

The groom greets his bride with a kiss on the cheek.

The bride and groom stand together as they are addressed by the registrar.

Bride and Groom hold hands facing on and other and laughing during the ceremony.

Bride and groom look back at wedding guests as they stand.

Close up of Bride and Groom looking at their rings

Tearful from the mother of the bride, bridesmaids and other guests.

Groomsman holding wedding ring box with tearful eyes

Bride and Groom stand and look at one and other laughing as guests stand an applause.

Mother of the bride with tears in her eyes.

Bride and groom laugh while signing the register.

Bride and groom walk down the aisle together.

Wedding guests form confetti line through stone arched door with the rolling hills of Derbyshire behind them.

Bridesmaid holding her autumnal bouquet.

Grandmother of the Groom waits in the confetti line with her confetti.

Grooms family wear sunglasses and wait to throw confetti at the bride and groom.

Close up of the bridesmaids holding their autumnal flowers.

Bride and groom walk through the stone arched doorway in the garden at Thornbridge Hall

Groom holds his wife's hand up like a prize as he walks down the confetti line

Bride and groom laugh as guests throw confetti at them

Groom trips over and bride folds over laughing.

Bride and groom laughing while confetti is being thrown at them in Thornbridge Hall Gardens, Derbyshire

Groom wipes confetti from his face while Bride laughs.

Bride and groom look at each other laughing.

Groom looks at camera laughing as confetti is till being thrown at them.

Bride laughs as they get to the end of the confetti line.

Confetti gathered in the folds of the brides white dress.

Bride and Groom hug their guests in an outdoor receiving line.

Black and white photo of Bride and Groom receiving guests in the gardens of Thronbridge Hall.

Bride and groom photographed with all of their wedding guests behind them.

Bride and Groom with grooms family casually standing together.

Bride and Groom with brides family, standing together laughing.

Groom steals a kiss from his bride in the walled gardens at Thornbridge Hall.

Bride and Groom stand together laughing in the long grassed gardens at Thornbridge Hall.

Bride and Groom have a quiet moment together in the walled gardens of Thornbridge Hall, Derbyshire.

Tail of wedding dress amongst the autumn leaves.

Bride and groom sit on the walled gardens drinking champagne and laughing.

Bride and groom walk together in the walled gardens

Groom kisses bride in Thornbridge Hall Gardens with the rolling hills of Derbyshire behind them.

The Carriage House

Ruth and George held their wedding reception in The Carriage House an old stable building that has been beautifully renovated and given a glass ceiling and front. On their tables waiting for their guests they had some autumnal flower arrangements, hand calved wooden name places and homemade marmalade!

After the Speeches

After the speeches it was time to get the wedding cake cut and get the party started and Ruth and George didn’t waste any time before they got on the dance floor and started tearing it up.

Autumn leaves with Carriage House clock tower in tower in the back ground.

Carriage House at Thornbridge Hall, Derbyshire.

The cork board table plan with twinkly lights and chairs behind.

White table clothed chairs and tables with twinkly lights and autumnal flower arrangements.

Hand engraved grooms name on wooden disk.

White wedding cake, with heart icing and twinkley lights behind it.

Bride and Groom enter The Carriage House

Wedding guests stand and swirl napkins in the air on couples arrival.

Black and white photograph of wedding guest smiling.

Wedding guest laughing while listening to Mother of the brides speech.

Bride looking at mother while she makes her speech.

Grandmother of the groom look emotional during speeches.

Wedding guest filming speeches on her phone.

Mother of the bride expressively giving speech.

Head table cheers to the Mother of the Brides speech.

Bride smiling as Groom gives his speech.

Black and white photo of guests cuddling up to one and other as they listen to the speeches.

Wedding guest listens to speech on the edge of her seat!

Bride and Groom laugh together at Best Mans speech.

Female wedding guest having a good belly laugh.

Mother of the bride dances with bridesmaid.

Male wedding guest throwing some shapes on the dance floor.

Mother of the bride holds onto her hat while dancing.

Couple chasing each other across dance floor.

Wedding guests laughing and dancing at Thornbridge Hall.

Female wedding guests throw some shapes.

Child smiles while doing the limbo on dance floor.

Adult laughs as he does the dance floor limbo.

Groom whispers in Brides ear on the dance floor.

A Shout Out to Some Awesome Suppliers!

Flowers: Swallows and Damsons
Hair and make up: Jenn Edwards and co
Groom’s suit: Dooley and Rostron
Groomsmen suits: Slaters
Dress: Cheadle Bride
Bridesmaid dresses: Rewritten Bridesmaids
Venue: Thornbridge Hall

Hackney Town Hall Wedding Photographer

Getting Ready Together

Imogen and Iain went for a more modern approach and got ready together at Imogen’s parents house near Hackney Town Hall. The morning was super relaxed everyone hanging out in the kitchen together sipping champagne and getting excited about the day ahead of them. Iain occasionally asking Imogen if she was going to get dressed or if she was going to get married in her dressing gown, Imogen would just laugh and continue to flounce about in her dressing gown regardless. Both Iain and Imogen got dressed in Imogen’s childhood bedroom.

Iain wore a traditional Scottish kilt and and Imogen wore a beautiful fitted wedding dress that she had made her own by having it shortened, giving it a retro 50s vibe paired with a hand made birdcage wedding head dress complete with silk flowers and it’s own little bee. Which was a theme of the wedding.

Catching the bus.

Before setting off, we grabbed a few sneaky photos of Imogen and Iain in their last moments together before becoming husband and wife in the near by communal gardens. Then we made our way Hackney Town Hall that was just a short walk and bus ride away. Imogen and Iain were congratulated by passers by as they made their way to the wedding.

Hackney Town Hall

On arrival at Hackney Town Hall, Imogen and Iain took a moment to greet their friends and family and then we headed inside for some photos and to get them good and married! Again Imogen and Iain chose to do things their own way and walked down the aisle together.

Imogen and Iain had Hackney Town Hall for the whole day so we were able to grab some photos on the steps outside after their wedding guests had pelted the pair of them with confetti before heading round the back of the Town Hall for the party!

Portraits

Having the Town Hall for the whole day, meant we had the surrounding streets to play with for some nice urban portraits. We popped out in the evening for a little stroll around Hackney and grabbed a few photos, which consisted of Imogen and Iain just looking so adorably cute together with the streets of Hackney as their back drop. We even found a high rise that matched Imogen’s shoes and flowers and a bike that matched her flowers and head dress. I love a good colour match I do and Imogen was very colourful so it made it easy!

The Party!

Imogen and Iain kicked off the party with the cutting of the cake and a hand fasting ceremony performed for them by their friends, the party then kicked off with a ceilidh band getting everyone up and running around straight away, it was quite a work out! Everyone was having a wale of a timing pegging it up and down and skidding across the floor together. I’m pretty sure the Wedding breakfast was well and truly worked off by the end of the night.

Thanks for having me you absolute mega legends! xxx

Owen House Wedding Barn

Owen House Wedding Barn

Jess and Mark got married at Owen House Wedding Barn in Knutsford. The Wedding Barn is a purpose built family owned business with loads of character, onsite accommodation for wedding guests and even it’s own shooting barn for couples to have their portraits taken in, very handy if it rains!

To watch the slide show click the link below!

The Civil Ceremony Room

Jess and Mark had their teary and very emotional ceremony in the barns moody, orange bulb and fairy light lit ceremony room in front of 30 of their friends and family. Making it a beautifully intimate ceremony.

Bride stands with her father at the end of the aisle at Owen House Wedding Barn

Bride is walked down the aisle by father. Photograph in black and white.

Bride and groom hold hands and laugh together, photo in black and white.

Bride and Groom make their way down the aisle as husband and wife.

Photos and Games

Once the ceremony was finished Jess and Mark headed out into the beautiful lavender and bee filled gardens for some photos and lawn games with their friends and family.

Group photograph of all the wedding guests cheering at Owen House Wedding Barn.

Father has his son sit on his shoulders as his daughter and wife play limbo.

Bride, groom and bridal party watch on as bridesmaid pulls a rouge Jenga move!

Bridal party roar with laughter as wedding guests topples the Jenga tower.

Couples Portraits

After some milling around, eating some delicious wedding food and escaping the odd bee and wasp attack we grabbed a few portraits around Owen House Barn’s beautiful grounds. Dropping by on a massive row of hay stacks and talking a walk in Owen House’s Weddings Barns beautifully manicured gardens before heading back for the speeches and wedding breakfast.

Bride and groom laugh together in front of a load of hay stacks.

Bride and groom larking about at Owen House Wedding Barn.

Bride and groom bend together to avoid getting hit on the head with a festoon light at Owen House Wedding Barn. t

Bride and groom sneak away for a kiss in the room they were married.

Speeches

Mark gave a wonderfully emotional speech that had everyone moved to tears, when Jess and Mark had a little kiss at the end the entire room stood up and game them a standing ovation.

Bride and groom enter their wedding breakfast.

Bride and groom kiss as wedding guests applaud.

Bride and Groom sip champagne and laugh together walking through a field near Owen House Wedding Barn.

Bridesmaid falls on her bum while playing limbo. Bride is holding her drink and laughing.

Bride and Groom have a photo in front of the archway.

Bride and groom try and limbo together. It doesn't really work.

The bridal party are attacked by a wasp as they pose for a photo.

Bridesmaid and her boyfriend sneak off for a quiet moment.

Bridal party are still being attached by a wasp.

Plane flies over Owen House Wedding Barn.

Bridal Party stand for photo, minus wasp.

The bride and groom take the land rover for a spin. The bride is driving, but doesn't have a license. Everyone looks scared.

Bride and groom laugh in font of fairy lights in Owen House Wedding Barns Shooting Barn.

Bridesmaid and wedding guest laugh together.

Bide and groom dance together at Owen House Wedding Barn.

Wedding Suppliers

The Dress https://www.agapebridalboutique.com/

The Suits https://www.peterposh.co.uk/knutsford-showroom

Flowers https://frogflowers.co.uk/

The Cakes https://www.instagram.com/sophie_bamfs/

The Band https://www.theinnocent.co.uk/

The Venue http://www.owenhouseweddingbarn.co.uk/

Inglewood Manor Wedding Photographer

I first met Becky and Chris via a Skype call after shooting a family members wedding, Becky and Chris saw the photos and got in touch. The first thing that struck me about them both was how much they didn’t take things too seriously and were up for a good laugh. I knew I was on for a good one and I was.

Here’s Becky and Chris’s Story in their own words:

We met at main stage Avicii, Creamfields 2013 what a place to meet your husband! Chris took me to Jamie’s Italian in Liverpool where I chose spaghetti bolognese as a first date meal and tripped up the stairs! I had a code text with my mum incase he wasn’t nice as I couldn’t remember much from that night so my mum was on hand waiting for a text saying ‘the pasta is nice’ We had a ball and many more funny date stories in between. Chris proposed in panoramic 34 during afternoon tea but I wasn’t looking so the first I heard was “Come on is it a yeah or no Beck people are looking now”

Becky on Chris - “He makes me laugh all the time and behaves like a grumpy old man at the age of 34 .”

Chris about Becky - “I love how we laugh at everything and life is just one big joke when we’re together no need to take it too seriously.”

Inglewood Manor

Becky and Chris chose Inglewood Manor as they loved the country estate feel, gorgeous gardens and incredible rooms where guests could stay. Being able to have their ceremony outside in November (although you wouldn’t have thought it the weather was glorious) was a major plus and really made the day all the more special too them as they love going on adventures together and being outside.

Inglewood manor is a beautiful Edwardian Manor house in the heart of Cheshire countryside. A grade two listed building, it had many original Edwardian features and loads of character, rich mahogany wooden panelled rooms, and beautiful gardens bursting with different species of flowers, trees and wild life surrounding the house. The result of this being tons of beautiful back drops for photographs both inside and outside.

The house was built in 1909, but is actually dated as dated 1915. The house was built for F. H. Fox, a Liverpudlian millionaire (Whoop! Go on son! I love it when people from Liverpool are millionaires!) who made his fortune in marine insurance. Fishy. The outside of the house is made of stone and wooden panelling and has a Tudor look to it.

Blue skies and a swirly plane trail in the sky, views from Inglewood Manor.

Getting Ready

Becky got ready with her mum and bridesmaids at Inglewood Manor while the Chris and his groomsmen mucked about down stairs, eagerly waiting for the chairs to arrive. Upstairs with the bridesmaids it was business as usual, Becky being her usual hilarious animated self. It was lovely to see Becky being so exctied to finally marry her Chris.

Becky wore an Essence of Australia dress from Bridal Haven in Tarporley (shop now closed, but the staff there were amazing!) and Valentino shoes, and looked bloody awesome. I’m sure you’ll will agree. The shoes didn’t last very long as they were ditched shortly after the ceremony when we had to go on adventures for portraits.

The Bride makes her mother and bridesmaids laugh while telling a story.

Mother on the brides shoes lie in the sunlight on the carpet of a hotel room inside Inglewood Manor Cheshire.

Mother of the Bride and the Bride have a moment together on the morning of the wedding.

Wedding dress hangs on wardrobe at Inglewood Manor.

Brides Valentino Shoes lie on windowsill as the strong sunlight beams through onto them. The window is open showing the floor below.

Reflection of bride checking her dress in Snow White Mirror in the background of the shot, while her mum fastens her dress in the foreground.

The Bride looks out the window as her mother puts her dress on at Inglewood Manor.

The Union Jack flies outside the hotel room window at Inglewood Manor, the sun is shining.

An Outdoor Ceremony at Inglewood Manor

Becky and Chris chose to have an outdoor ceremony at Inglewood Manor. On a gloriously sunny day in November, it can happen! They put some blankets out for guests that they thought might get a bit chilly and thoughtfully labelled the reserved seats at the front with little tags with peoples names on so that people knew where to sit (and which blanket was for them!)

Under current British Law when getting married outdoors at Inglewood Manor you do need to be facing towards the house so that the registrar can marry you from the shelter of the structure of Inglewood Manor.

Empty cream wooden wedding chairs, sit empty in the sunlight casting shadows on patio awaiting the wedding guests.

The groom and his best man stand smiling awaiting their guests at their outdoor ceremony at Inglewood Manor.

Guests enjoy the sunshine while awaiting the Bride at an outdoor ceremony at Inglewood Manor.

A wedding guest in a wheel chair makes her way to watch the wedding at Inglewood manor.

Guests take their seats at the outdoor wedding ceremony, the Union Jack Flag flies behind them.

Groomsmen laugh together in the the sunlight at Inglewood Manor.

Wedding guests in blue hat chats with her friend.

Grandparents laugh together in the sunlight.

Mother of the bride is beaming with joy.

Small boy in a blue suit and red bow tie drags an older groomsmen across the patio.

The groom, best man and registrar share a joke.

The guests stand up and watch as the bride makes her way towards them at an outdoor wedding ceremony at Inglewood Manor.

Becky was walked down the aisle by her Dad looking so excited that she might burst and was greeted by an equally emotional Chris, there was a ceremony brimming with tears and laughter in equal measure and these two lovelies just looking totally besotted with each other through out. After the ceremony Becky and Chris pegged it back down the aisle grinning from ear to ear to be promptly greeted by Inglewood Manor staff who were waiting with Champagne ready for the celebrations to begin.

Flowers

Becky’s flowers were by Lisa G from Flowers of Distinction in Huyton (Lisa G was fabulous and showed Becky and Chris what the flowers would look like and had the best ideas as Becky and Chris didn’t want the bridal bouquet to be plain.)

The Bride makes her way down the aisle, arm in arm with her father during an outdoor ceremony at Inglewood manor.

The bride makes it to her groom laughing.

The bride and groom look at one and other, beaming from ear to ear at their outdoor ceremony at Inglewood Manor.

The Groom kisses the brides hand, while her father gives her a tissue to wipe their tears and snot probably.

First reading read by guest in a snazzy hat and sunglasses.

Mother of the bride and bridesmaids sit laughing together during an outdoor ceremony at Inglewood Manor.

Bride and Groom smile while holding hands.

Bride and Groom stand smiling while listening to the registrars instructions.

Bride and Groom stand facing each other, holding hands and looking to each others eyes playfully.

Bride and groom look towards registrar laughing at their outdoor ceremony at Inglewood Manor.

Bride and Groom hold hands laughing as they say their vows during outdoor ceremony.

Bride holds onto her Grooms hand while looking eager and super cute.

Close up of bouquet of flowers including red roses and berries, pink roses and eucalyptus branches.

Wedding guests laugh together as a catch them having a post ceremony cereal bar.

Bride and Groom exit the ceremony smiling.

Bride and Groom are greeted with 2 glasses of champagne at the end of the aisle by staff member.

Guests smiling in the sun shine wearing fancy hats.

Older male wedding guest holds his camera, framed by two male wedding guests wearing blue.

Bride laughs, her brides maids bouquet in the foreground of the shot.

Couples Portraits

After a cheeky swig out of Chris’s hip flask we took a quick little walk over the the tree lined path at the back of the house to get a few outdoor portraits and Becky and Chris together in the beautiful Autumnal light before heading back to the Bridal Suite at Inglewood Manor, where Becky and Chris had an idea to have a few photos of them just chilling out and having a drink together. So we did just that!

Bride takes a sqwig from her husbands hip flask as he laughs on the back steps of Inglewood Manor.

Bride and Groom laugh together on the steps on Inglewood Manor, the yellow light of the trees behind them.

Couple laugh together during their Autumnal wedding at Inglewood Manor.

Husband and wife walk through the tree lined path together laughing after their Autumnal wedding ceremony at Inglewood Manor.

Groom is attacked by a lovely red leaved branch, his wife laughs at him.

Newly weds make their way back to the house with the dusky Autumnal light behind them.

Bride raises up her flowers with a victorious strong arm as she makes her way into Inglewood Manor with her new husband.

Bride and groom sit and drink laughing in the bridal suite at Inglewood Manor.

Bride tries to stop laughing at her Groom by looking away from him, but is still laughing.

Wedding Breakfast and Speeches at Inglewood Manor

By the time we’d finished the photos, the party was in full swing, with Becky’s family and friends having a right old laugh before being ushered into the dining room at Inglewood Manor for a delicious 3 course meal followed by some hilarious and heartfelt speeches.

Becky and Chris were surprised at their table with a photograph of their beloved dog dressed in a full suit with a bow tie and a top hat, sneakily curated by Becky’s Dad (apparently it was a total nightmare to get on!)

The Wedding Cake

Their beloved pooch Barney also made an appearance on the top of the wedding cake. Becky and Chris were particularly impressed with the level of detail in shading of the fur of their beloved pooch. The talented team at The Devonshire Bakery in Frodsham took Becky and Chris’s photos and ideas and turned them into this fabulous creation!

All of Becky and Chris’s wedding stationary was made by The Complete Invitation Company.

Older male wedding guest enjoys a cup of tea at a wedding reception at Inglewood Manor

Wedding guests snuggle up to one and other at Inglewood Manor

Beautiful white ceiling and chandelier at Inglewood Manor.

Hard sunlight hits the tables that have been set for wedding guests at Inglewood Manor.

Red and white wedding cake topped with the bride and groom and their dog.

The dining room ready for guests at Inglewood Manor.

A photograph of the bride and grooms dog awaits them at their table.

The groom gives a speech as the bride laughs.

The best man presents the Groom with a car seat made up to look like a person.

The Groom congratulates the Best Man on his speech.

The Groom and Best Man smile laughing together.

Little girls watch wedding guests from the stairs.

The Party!

After the speeches were done and the cake was cut Becky and Chris and their friends and family went roaring straight into the party! Becky and Chris had a DJ and Saxophone player working the floor together to keep it jam packed and everyone with their dancing shoes on.

Henry Aspden played the saxophone all evening and the dj played Becky and Chris’s favourite songs, they found them on Jonny Ross music who also have open days so you can hear them play.

Advice From Becky and Chris for Future Couples on their Wedding Day

“Don’t take it all too seriously, ensure you laugh all day and spend the day doing everything you want to do.”

The bride reaches for the groom as they begin the first dance.

The Groom sings to his new Wife as they dance together.

Wedding guests hit the dance floor, a little girl jumps up and down as wedding guests dance behind her.

Saxophone player smiles at guests giving it their all on the dance floor.

Little boy sits on his dads shoulders cheering as wedding guests dance around them.

Grandma dances in her wheelchair surrounded by friends and family.

Bridesmaid shouts out and throws her head back as she dances.

Female wedding guest sneaks up on her friend to smack her on the bum.

Wedding guest laughs as she is driven around in Grandma's wheelchair.

Wedding guest dances making an excited face at her partner.

Bride waves her hands from side to side singing at her party at Inglewood Manor.

Groom stands nest to his new wife holding both hands in the air while grinning from ear to ear, surrounded by his friends and family.

Bride and groom dance together on their wedding day at Inglewood Manor.

A Shout Out to Becky and Chris’s Awesome Wedding Suppliers!

The Dress was an Essence of Australia dress from Bridal Haven.

Wedding Stationary by The Complete Invitation Company

Flowers by Lisa G from Flowers of Distinction

Cake The Devonshire Bakery in Frodsham

Acoustic Guitar by Ste Hadley

Saxophone by Henry Aspden

DJ found on http://www.jonnyrossmusic.com/

Make up was done by Nicola Fraser

Goldstone Hall in Market Drayton

Up on the blog today we’ve got Lucy and Nick’s gorgeous autumnal wedding at Goldstone Hall, Market Drayton where they had a intimate outdoor ceremony (despite a tiny bit of rain) amongst their closest family and friends and surrounded by the most beautiful wild flowers both inside Goldstone Hall and out! I’ll let Lucy and Nick take it from here. If you’d like to see the full day from start to finish click on the link below to watch Lucy and Nick’s nifty little Wedding Photo Trailer!

Lucy and nick’s Story

A mutual friend (James - Lucy's friend from uni and Nick's friend from school) invited us both to an outdoor film screening in Summer 2013. It wasn't intended to be a set up but we hit if off! As we met at a film screening we (unimaginatively!) arranged to go to the cinema for our first date. We saw Only God Forgives not quite realising it was full of gory violence, definitely not a first date film but at least it gave us something to talk about!

We got engaged in our flat in London, the first place we've ever lived together! It was super low key but perfect for us, Luce was wearing her pyjamas while I got down on one knee! She immediately burst into tears (and then said yes thankfully!)

Couple laugh together on their wedding day at Goldstone Hall, Market Drayton. Photograph in black and white.

Goldstone hall wedding venue

We got married at Goldstone Hall, Market Drayton, one of the most beautiful venues we've ever seen. Lucy wanted to get married in an old house and have the reception at the same venue, Nick wanted a marquee reception and so Goldstone was ideal! We visited on a rainy autumn day and even then the gardens and house looked so beautiful that we knew it was right for us! Goldstone couldn't have been better throughout our build up, they even managed to somehow give our guests a choice of food on the day!

Mother of the bride sits on a bed putting on her lipstick in front of a wall of very loud red and gold floral wall paper framed by two matching lamps.

Bride and groom say their vows in an outdoor ceremony at Goldstone Hall, Market Drayton. Photograph in black and white.

FLOWERS

The biggest superstar supplier of the day was our florist, Nicola (Brown Sugar Blooms). We wanted relaxed, colourful flowers that didn't look too neat or tidy and she absolutely blew us away! She turned something that was just inside our heads into the most perfect arrangement and made for a stunning marquee! And Lucy adored her bouquet!

The bride and groom smile at their friends and family as they walk down the red carpet and have confetti thrown at them.

Bridesmaids sit together during the ceremony holding their bouquets.

Close up of a bridesmaids bouquet of wild seasonal flowers.

Wedding SUIT

Nick's suit supplier, Beggars Run, were also awesome, making the whole process super easy, enjoyable and producing a great looking suit!

Groom and his groomsmen stand waiting for his bride to arrive.

Groom fixes his tie, photograph in black and white.

The Dress

Lucy’s beautiful wedding dress was by Maggie Sottero Designs

Reflection of the wedding dress in the glass of a painting of a green mountainous landscape.

Bride has her make up done by one of her bridesmaids as her wedding dress hangs in the window at Goldstone Hall, Market Drayton.

Close up of details of dress as bridesmaid fastens up the back.

Bride stands smiling while wearing her wedding dress.

Wedding cake

Nick's Mum made our cake and decorated it with flowers to match Brown Sugar Blooms, it looked and tasted amazing! She then went one step beyond and made all our bunting too!

Table plan in marquee full of colourful flowers and bunting at Goldstone Hall.

Guests laugh as they look at photographs together.

Photographer

Of course Katie Dervin - who did the best job! Getting our photos through after the wedding was like reliving the whole day again!

Bride and groom standing in gardens at Goldstone Hall, Market Drayton.

Silhouette of bride putting on her lipstick as her wedding dress hangs in the window behind her.

Bride and Groom stand with a sea of colourful wild flowers together at Goldstone Hall, Market Drayton.

Toddler and his father play together in the garden.

Mother of the bride puts on her corsarge while her daughters look at her.

The BAND

Our band were The Vivas and they were brilliant! They played an amazing set that got everyone dancing, so much in fact that the speakers began to shake as everyone jumped up and down! They really made the evening a great party!

Bride and groom dance laughing together.

Bride laughs while dancing with her new husband.

Male wedding guests throw out some stretchy arm dance moves.

Couple are silhouetted while they dance together, female guests wears a 50's type dress.

Groom pulls some moves on the dance floor.

Blonde female wedding guest hugs another wedding guest while dancing together.

Bride and Groom dance together in the centre on the dance floor surrounded by their friends and family at Goldstone Hall, Market Drayton.

Advice for future couples on their wedding day

The day will go really quick, so make sure to try and stay in the moment and don't worry too much about what's coming next, it'll all work out just fine! And make sure you make time for each other, it's easy to get lost in making sure everyone else is having a good time!