If you're an avid reader of my wedding photography blog (and why wouldn't you be), you'd know that I love a well known phrase or saying. As a wedding photographer, it's always such a pleasure to hear about different couples and their backgrounds, and what helped shaped the decisions that brought them to this ever so special day. And so with camera in hand, on the 15th April, I made my way to photograph the wedding of Katie and Harry, starting first at St Peters Church, Elford, a mere 100 yards from Katie's family home... and you know what they say, "there's no place like home." Cue endless references to a certain Technicolor masterpiece...
Ok, I'll admit it... my Wizard of Oz link is tenuous. No ruby slippers, no scarecrow, no tinman, no lion and worst of all, no Toto (sigh). However, having been invited to be the designated wedding photographer for the day, I can hand on heart (not a reference) say that the big day was no less magical and wonderful to capture on film. And what a lovely, beautiful couple Katie and Harry make. Our newlyweds met through the modern wonders of technology, online, and met for their very first date at the British Film Institute (still not a reference) bar on the south bank. With high flying careers, it appears both possess brains (possible a reference) and beauty, with Harry a local government councillor, a keen golfer and F1 fan, and our gorgeous bride to be Katie, working in the pharmaceutical industry with interests in baking and keeping fit. The day that lead them to taking that next step towards becoming man and wife, occurred at Castle Combe. Handsome Harry summoned all of his courage (ok, definitely a reference) and popped the all important question, to which he was delighted to hear the important reply of 'yes'. It had followed a weekend of family celebrations, with an announcement in The Saturday Telegraph no less, the next day. Truly wonderful.
And on the note of family celebrations, that brings us full circle to the phrase, "there's no place like home." It is quite clear just how much family and 'home' means to our couple. The big day was set for the 15th April 2023, and brought a certain familiarity to proceedings. Our first stop, for the wedding ceremony, was at St. Peter's Church in Elford, Staffordshire, just yards from Katie's family home, which was such a nice touch and clearly meant so much. A genuinely moving moment came during the vow readings, with a Spitfire flying up and above the wedding party... a reminder of Katie's late grandfather, a pilot of the iconic aeroplane. Amazing. It would also be amiss of me not to mention the very entertaining vicar... certainly one of my memorable moments as the wedding photographer.
Vows, check. Rings exchanged, check. First kiss, check. That can only mean one thing... onto the wedding reception! And so we made our way to the venue, Thorpe Gardens. Not been? Pop it on the list. I'm not entirely sure I can put it better than their own description as a 'romantic walled garden wedding venue in Staffordshire, with a beautiful contemporary ceremony room and handmade yurt.' Indoors meets outdoors with a real touch of class. Thank you to everyone at Thorpe Gardens who helped make my life as the wedding photographer so easy on the day. When asked, Katie's favourite moments of the day were venue related. The first involved the dress changes for the evening, and the ensuing evening of dance... the semi enclosed and intimate feeling of the wedding party in the yurt is quite something to behold in full swing, and to quote our bride, the night was indeed danced away with friends and family. Beautiful scenes. Half guests, half venue for the first moment, but all Thorpe Gardens for the second, as Katie told me...
"How amazing the food was! I'm still dreaming of the dauphinoise potatoes!"
Delicious!
To finish, I think it's fitting to also reflect on Harry's favourite moment of the day. As they walked out of the church, the couple were accompanied by a favourite Stevie Wonder song of mine, 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered'... very apt, and there's no mistaking, "he's yours" now Katie. Congratulations to a gorgeous couple, and I wish you every happiness!
Wedding photography by Jon Thorne at Thorpe Gardens, Staffordshire.
