Josh and Paul are genuinely some of the sweetest, most caring people I have ever met, and their wedding day at Settlers Country Manor felt exactly like them: warm, heartfelt and full of the people who love them most.
Getting Ready
The day started with Paul at the Airbnb they had rented for their honeymoon, where I photographed him getting ready with his groomsmen. It was a really rainy day, but one of the bedrooms had the most beautiful window light, so I made the most of it and came away with lots of lovely portraits of everyone.
From there I headed to Settlers to meet up with Josh and photograph the other half of the groom’s party in the wedding suite. Settlers have a lovely, large room for getting ready, which makes such a difference on a wet day when everyone is inside together.
A Ceremony Full of Heart
After a week of rain, the decision was made early to hold the ceremony inside. Indoor ceremonies can be a challenge for a photographer, as we often need flash to bring some light into the room, but I always try to keep it to a minimum. Lots of flashes can become distracting, and the moment belongs to the couple and their guests, not the camera.
The vows were so special and heartfelt. There was so much emotion in the room, and tears a plenty.
Portraits Between the Showers
After the big “I do” we were able to head outside, not only for the group photos but for some lovely portraits of the newlyweds in the stunning gardens at Settlers. Having everything at one venue makes life so much easier: we can stay close to the action and be back inside at a moment’s notice if the weather turns. That is especially useful for winter weddings. If you are weighing up venues, my guide to Settlers Country Manor covers what makes it such a great choice in any season.
Lego, Laughter and Love
The reception was full of personal touches. Josh is a massive Lego fan, so every guest had a Lego flower to build and take home. I spotted a few of the younger guests doing deals for extra Lego ;)
The speeches were heartfelt and all shared a common theme: these are two very well loved people who are kind, generous and love each other deeply.
As the dancing started, I set up and took plenty of lovely portraits, as well as getting in amongst the action on the dance floor.
All in all, it was a wonderful day that made my heart sing with joy. Congratulations, Josh and Paul, and thank you for letting me be part of it.