If there's one thing I love more than weddings, and photographing them, it's rugby (I hope my familty don't read this one)! I've grown up playing the sport and watching it too... and when the Six Nations comes around, it's one of the only times of the year you'll find me securely glued to the TV. And so, you can imagine my delight when a Walsall Rugby Club player asked me to photograph his wedding to his beautiful bride to be Rachel. It didn't take long for me to say 'yes' to Jack I can promise you that. Two passions in life of rugby and wedding photography, check. Gorgeous couple, check. Super venue in Aston Wood Golf Club, check. Wonderful wedding? Absolutely!
It was an absolute delight to photograph the wedding of the lovely couple, Rachel and Jack. The beautiful Rachel, a marketing manager with a love of playing the piano, and our strapping rugby player Jack, who by day is a deputy headmaster, actually met through said rugby affiliations. With our handsome groom part of the playing staff, Rachel was actually a social member of the club, and love blossomed between the two. Apart from rugby, our bride to be also has another love in life... finding new coffee shops. Although I might not describe myself as a 'coffee snob', I certainly enjoy a 'cup of joe' myself, to coin a phrase from our American cousins. I always like to see little independent cafe's pop up, and it appears it's a joy we both share in common. As time went by, Jack decided that he had a question to ask Rachel, and it certainly ranks up there with one of the most romantic settings I've ever heard. Our couple took a boat trip, with accompanying picnic, as a day out to the beach on a secluded island called Little Bernera, in the Outer Hebrides. Having enjoyed the contents of their picnic basket, Jack surprised Rachel with the all important question... she of course said yes, but they were then left with a slight problem... the phone signal isn't too great in that neck of the woods, so our newly engaged bride and groom to be had to climb up the sand dunes to try and get a bar or two to let their families know the good news. Wonderful.
The wedding day was an absolute delight, as you can see from the photos below. So when I asked Rachel and Jack, I wasn't surprised to hear that they had a few memories that sprang to mind, and none more so than...
"Performing a rugby line-out during the evening (and it now being one of our favourite photos); much of the wedding theme in the reception venue was rugby-based and all looked great."
The speeches brought joy to everyone, and both look back fondly on the moment Rachel walked down the aisle as being very special moments. However, the overriding feeling was that the overall happiness of the day for not just them, but all their friends and family was particularly poignant... after such an up and down year or so, seeing everyone smiling as I was taking photographs of the wedding was certainly something I noticed myself too. Truly lovely to see and capture on film.
As the wedding photographer on the day, there are always two things that make my life easier. A stunning venue with helpful and friendly staff, and a variety of lovely professionals also working on the day alongside me. I am delighted to say that I enjoyed both on this occasion. Aston Wood Golf Club has everything you would wish for in a first class wedding venue, combining high standards of service with a friendly and comfortable atmosphere. The staff are such wonderful, helpful people and it was a real joy to work there... as well as be able to capture the day with the club as the backdrop... stunning! Easily accessible not only from Birmingham but also from the rest of the country, it's definitely a place to look up if you are in search of a wedding venue. The team of suppliers on the day were all a delight to work with, and a particular thank you to Laura the videographer who was amazing, and is highly recommended!
And so congratulations to Rachel and Jack!
Suppliers on the day:
- Dress - Wedding Belles of Four Oaks
- Suits - Peter Posh
- Cake - Heidi Bayliss
- Catering and venue - Aston Wood Golf Club
- Rings - Hockley Jewellers (Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham)
- Videography - Laura Garwood Videography
