Fun loving with laughter the whole day…
From the minute I ended my first video call with Luke and Kirsty I knew I had hit the jackpot with them….the exact kind of couple I love to work with. The laughter, jokes, teasing and clear love for each other (along with some serious good looks!) were all ingredients I knew could create some magic. After initially postponing our engagement shoot due to a bout of Lukes man flu we got to meet a week or so before the wedding to capture some images of the pair. I knew it was going to be good but they blew me away….not only were we blessed with a perfect golden hour, these guys were game for any of my silly suggestions and we created some of my favourite images. I was seriously excited for the main event!
The big day arrived and I headed down to Fanhams Hall in Hertfordshire. This stunning mansion in Ware lends itself as the perfect backdrop to host a wedding day, with a spacious light ceremony room boasting original features right through to endless beautiful backdrops within the extensive gardens. Wisteria? Check! Flower field? check! Bridge? check! Formal gardens? Check! Spoilt for choice with this location!
I greeted an excited bridal party in a large suite sporting huge windows that I knew would allow us to capture some great bridal portraits before Kirsty walked the aisle. I trotted round the venue capturing the sights and working out where I was going to take them for photos later…we were spoilt for choice and the light was spot on all day!
All the little details had been considered and Luke even surprised Kirsty with a beautiful bouquet of white roses on the wedding morning. What a romantic! The girls all got dolled up by Steph Hemmings the Makeup Artist and Hair by Cristina sorted the hair. I swooned over the fabulous Sophia Webster ‘Wifey for Lifey’ bridal shoes Kirsty’s Maid of Honour had treated her to, which she enjoyed revealing to her new husband during the couples portraits. The bridesmaids donned soft grey lilac gowns to stand by the side of the bride with white blooms to complete the look. The Bride looked utterly stunning in a form fitting dress from Prom to Bride in Knebworth.
The big moment arrived and the ceremony room looked beautiful. White florals decorated the space and it was decked out with a white aisle and a floral arch to frame the couple as they said their ‘I Do’s’. The room was so large, light and airy it was a dream to capture the ceremony! Kirsty looked stunning as her Dad walked her down the aisle carrying her bouquet by Jane Maples flowers.
The couple had even dialled some friends in via video link so they could watch the ceremony and walked back down the aisle to a football theme tune showcased this couples total love of football! The smiles did not stop all day as drinks and canapés were enjoyed on the terrace and the family and friends enjoyed catching up during formal group shots.
We were spoilt by Fanham’s staff who took us via golf buggy to tour the gardens and capture those all important couples shots….all the practice at the engagement shoot paid off as these two posed like pros and nailed their portraits….in time to get back to be announced into their wedding breakfast as Man and Wife!
After some very heartfelt speeches, and even an additional one delivered by the maid of honour, guests were entertained on the terrace by the highly entertaining Sylar Magic and singer Tom Ryder. This couple really had thought of their guests though by also providing a football table (their first love!) and an air hockey table….which helped show how competitive this couple can be!
The love between this pair was so clear to see along with their wicked sense of humour. Despite COVID scuppering plans and causing a long wait to finally get married the bond between these two was stronger than ever. We were blessed with the best golden hour and the light just enhanced the romantic moments these guys shared as they strolled the gardens. So incredibly honoured to have shared this beautiful day for a beautiful couple, thank you for having me Mr and Mrs Gillingham!
