Serendipity. When things are truly meant to be, they end up being just exactly that. And there is a very special romance attached to serendipity, especially when it comes to Michelle and Alex. Meeting at school and then managing to keep a long distance relationship going as they took separate paths with university. An engagement during their tenth year anniversary and a stunning wedding day at a family farm, that the two of them had watched develop over the years. So many 'meant to be' moments, and as the chosen wedding photographer for this beautiful day in Sutton Coldfield, it was an absolute pleasure to capture it all on (digital) film for them...
And so with camera in hand, I made my way to the family farm, Hingley's Cottage in Sutton Coldfield, to photograph the big day for the wedding of Michelle and Alex, on the 17th July, 2021... and what a fabulous day it was! As with all outdoor weddings, there is always that niggling concern that an English summer's day, doesn't necessarily mean a promise of good weather. However, the drying up of the 'rain worry' soon ended up becoming quote the opposite, with an absolute scorcher... it certainly made for some fantastic wedding photographs, but it did lead to a spot of panic buying in the run up to the big day... and not the kind of shopping we all like to enduldge in now and again. Gadgets, clothes and extravagant gifts made way for parasols and water on this shopping spree... but they certainly did come in handy!
It was a real delight to photograph the stunning couple of Michelle and Alex, and even more so that it was somewhere that meant so much to them, as well as the rest of the family. On their way back from their first holiday together (in the back of the taxi of Dad), Michelle's father told them quite casually that he'd bought a farm, much to their surprise. It should also be noted that our product designer Alex and commercial property expert Michelle, follow in her father's footsteps a little when it comes to transformations. They watched the development of the farm over the years, and are known for doing similar things themselves, with projects springing up here and there, that they look to complete and lend their own hands to. With the perfect wedding venue taking shape, the couple also have the perfect marital home in progress... as friends and family know all to well I'm told. With Alex on renovations (including learning to plaster), Michelle is focussing on more serene matters and transforming the garden. And it is this kind of DIY attitude that felt so perfect about the possibilities of the family farm being the centrepoint for their big day, allowing them the freedom to create something distinctly personal and unique, adding their personality throughout. And I must say, they did a marvellous job!
I must then finish by saying congratulations to this wonderful couple, and also highlight my envy at hearing about their honeymoon plans. The proposal by Alex took place in a lovely little cottage setting, and their destination post wedding followed a very similar pattern, with a campervan tour of the north Cornish coastline, starting at Hartland Point, finding their way to Padstow with a final stop at St Ives... VERY jealous! And as Michelle told me, there was a really nice element to add to this last port of call...
"We then went down to St Ives to stay at the Carbis Bay Hotel (my Mum’s wedding present to us) as this is where my grandparents went on their honeymoon in 1954 and they are still happily married to this day so it’s hopefully a good omen!"
A huge congratulations to Michelle and Alex, and thank you for choosing me as your wedding photographer on your wonderful, wedding day!
