As a wedding photographer, I've heard many a story about love at first sight. 'He caught my gaze across a crowded dance floor,' or perhaps, 'I knew the moment we bumped into each other whilst ordering a latte'... the list is endless. However, not every bride and groom to be can claim that love blossomed from that very first interaction. In fact, for some, it's a case of slowly becoming friends before feelings take over. Others, it's a little slower... as in almost a decade of walking past each other without even a second's acknowledgment slower... in the most recent eight years, Rachel and Danny turned the slowest of slow burns into a wonderful relationship and wedding day, which I had the honour of photographing at The Oak Tree, Peover...
So I suppose I better add a little context to the 'first sight' story. So our beautiful bride to be Rachel, and handsome groom to be Danny, 'met' in Wilmslow around eight years ago. As you do, conversations began and in a very strange twist of fate and coincidence, it turned out that the two of them actually went to the same primary school... and the same secondary school... separated by just the one year. As with most school students, I suppose that invisible barrier existed between the years. It's not 'cool' to speak with and be around kids who are younger, and not you're never 'cool' enough to speak with and be around the older kids... funny old world growing up at school hey? So as chance would have it, this delightful couple, that had asked me to be their wedding photographer for their big day, had probably passed each other by down corridors and across hallways for many a year, not realising where life would take them one day.
And so with the universe providing a delay in their first meet, it seemed that they would also have to wait for their wedding day to finally come around as well. As with so many couples, Rachel and Danny faced three postponements to their chosen date due to the pandemic, but when the day arrived, it meant so much more to them, as they described their most memorable moments from the 9th of April 2022...
"[I remember] being surrounded by all our nearest and dearest, and feeling so relieved that we had finally made it after 3 postponements."
I'm not all that sure that us mere mortals are designed for solitude and being kept away from each other for long periods, and it is so wonderful to hear similar memories to theirs from so many of the couples that I have the pleasure of photographing. In years gone by, so often brides and grooms would say to me that they remembered things such as the sports car arrival, the bespoke cake topper with a funny story or perhaps a piece of expensive jewellery that had been given as a gift. All important, sentimental and memorable things no doubt, but it gives me real hope in life when people instantly say that just being able to see friends and family, safe, well and happy are their happiest moments... beautiful.
Talking of beautiful, there are three venues and locations that I must highlight as part of this journey. Firstly, New York... the destination of our gorgeous soon to be newlyweds, for a celebration of their engagement the previous week. With rollers in hair, and still in her dressing gown as they prepared for a meal at a nearby restaurant, Rachel was asked the all important question by Danny... and with 'yes' springing forth in reply, a course was set which would lead them to the stunning Oak Tree in Peover followed closely by a honeymoon trip to the incredible scenes of Santorini... the third stop on their highlights real, and one I certainly have more than a little envy for... I hope they have a fantastic time.
However, the big day, and our second stop was, as I mentioned, at The Oak Tree in Peover, the venue and location for the moment that Rachel and Danny said those all important words to each other. In the heart of the Cheshire countryside, it was an absolute delight for me professionally as it offered such a stunning backdrop photographically to a wonderful wedding day. Their own website uses the words 'tranquility', 'unique', 'stunning' and 'a day to remember' and it is so difficult to argue with them. A truly delightful venue, located in a 165 acre estate, a jaw dropper of a barn style venue, it is certainly one for anyone looking for a location to visit and explore for their own wedding. The team and staff there are an extra added bonus to an exquisite place, and are so helpful and friendly to ensure a perfect day. Amazing!
Congratulations to Rachel and Danny!
