As a wedding photographer, you get to know a lot of the 'wedding rules' quite quickly. As time passes, new 'rules' pop up as the times and fashion dictates, but there is no getting away from the fact that there are some bullet points absolutely, no questions asked, cast in stone. For a successful marriage, I'm told that an old wives tale details that one should never take off ones wedding ring, for fear of reprisals from the universe. I've checked my files, notes and the internet, but I can't quite find the protocol, nor the implications of losing your wedding ring... on the day of the wedding...
Losing your wedding ring, on your wedding day, with the wedding party still in attendance... thank goodness for the wonderful staff at Hothorpe Hall! Poor Stewart must have had the fright of his life upon realising that a certain finger was missing a certain item, but with the maintenence team on hand to pull up the decking at 10:30pm, I'm pleased to say that our dashing groom's heart returned to normal pace within the day. Phew! And so as I mention the heroes of the day (our ring recoverers), I thought it best to say a few thank you's to the team at Hothorpe Hall. Thank you to everyone who helped me, the designated wedding photographer, on the day, especially Aimee and Danni... you really were marvellous. The venue itself, should you be interested, is The Woodlands at Hothorpe Hall, Leicestershire. As a photographer, I LOVE to be able to shoot weddings at lots of different types of venue, but it's rare that you come across places, such as Hothorpe, that offer a variety of styles and backdrops in one place. The ceremony area itself, is a beautiful woodland area, with a stream running alongside the aisle, with plentiful wildlife roaming the grounds, including sheep and pheasants. It's an idyllic setting for those looking for an outdoors wedding, and it is then coupled with a stunning Georgian manor house, that is a real jaw dropper. If you are still on the look out for your wedding venue, please check out my images below and make a note to put Hothorpe Hall on your list of places to visit... you won't be disappointed.
Now on the day, I know that both our gorgeous bride Charlotte and our dapper groom Stewart, really appreciated one thing over everything else... their wedding party. With everything that is going on in the world, and has been for a fair while, it was lovely to hear them both detail seeing friends and family as their number one memory. Just a couple of years ago, perhaps the mention of being able to hug and cuddle loved ones would have seemed a given on your wedding day, and perhaps it highlights the things that we once took for granted. I was so pleased for them, but from my point of view, as the photographer, it also gave me great joy to be able to capture them all on (digital) film... as well as receive so much help from them too... it felt like I had my own little entourage of helpers on the day! I apologise in advance for not remembering everyone's names, but for those that my memory recalls, thank you to Emily, Amy, Taylor and Sarah from the bridesmaids team, as well as the best men Henry and William (great speech by the way... although the dance moves were a little suspect). You were all an enormous help, so thank you.
And so, perhaps rudely, we come lastly to the most important people on the day, our bride and groom, Charlotte and Stewart. A wonderful couple, and a photograph. As we've already found out, our newlyweds are particularly fond of spending time with those closest to them... including their two dogs. A true 'high school romance' if you will, without the school part, nor the American undertones, having met at the tender ages of 16 and 17 years old, at Smith's Farm Shop... inseparable ever since. And so following their first glimpse, the next important step in their journey to becoming man and wife, was of course, the engagement. Described by Charlotte as her 'favourite place in the world,' where she spent most of her childhood holidays with family, it seemed only fitting that this place, Woolacombe Bay in Devon, would be the setting for this romantic moment...
"Stewart and I were on holiday in Woolacombe with our dog Millie. We spent a gorgeous day on the beach in glorious sunshine. Towards the end of the day, Stewart turned to me and told me how much he loved me and what an amazing life we have together. He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Of course I said yes, once I had stopped crying! We celebrated that evening with a BBQ and bubbly looking over the sea as the sun was setting. It was perfect. "
It sounds like the perfect proposal. And without further ado, congratulations to the happy couple, Charlotte and Stewart!
