If you could book the perfect weather for a wedding day I would put last Saturdays on repeat order. We had rainbows, warm spring sunshine for our photos session and 10 minutes of rain just after the first dance.
I arrived at Rushpool Hall to a busy wedding prep room. I love this room for taking photos, it’s bright, light and also has so much space. Amy has chosen Lynsey to do hers and her bridesmaids makeup and Kelsie is doing the wedding hair. A chat with Amy reveals she’s maybe a little nervous about the day ahead but having met her and Anth before and seeing how solid a couple they are I know that once they see each other at the top of the aisle the nerves will disappear.
Amy and Anth booked me in April of 2022 and I finally got a chance to meet them when they had their final meeting with Rushpool Hall. My first impression of them was that aswell as being a couple very much in love they are also great friends, they look to each other all the time, little glances and smiles that melt my heart. We talked about what they wanted from their wedding photos and they were very laid back and happy to leave that to me.
After taking prep photos of Amy and the girls I headed to the ballroom to see Sam. This room must be a dream to a venue dresser and Sam who owns Sheer Elegance always does such an amazing job. Amy and Anth have chosen a subtle pink colour theme for their wedding day and Sam has mixed this with creams and sage green. The room looks beautiful.
Anth has arrived with his brother and best man Charles, so I keep them outside for a few natural photos before taking them into the venue for buttonholes and tie straightening. The couple have bought gifts for each other so I hand Anth his gift from his wife to be and photograph the opening of this before making my way back to Amy and giving her Anth’s gift. It’s always really funny to me watching couples opening their gifts. The groom will launch straight into the present whilst us girls always open and read the card first. I love that.
With hair and makeup finished we go upto the bridal suite. This room boasts a four poster bed, huge windows and loads of space. The perfect place for getting your wedding dress and shoes on. Brides will often leave their bridesmaids to get ready in their own rooms and enjoy a bit of quiet time before the wedding ceremony. Amy was joined by her mum to help get her dress on. Mum did an (almost) great job of holding back the tears as she saw her daughter all ready for the day ahead. Amy is also wearing the rings from her grandma’s who are sadly no longer with us. I love these small showings of love.
Amy wanted dress reveal photos for her Dad and then the bridesmaids. The wedding team at Rushpool are fabulous at organising any little extra special ideas you have so this went seamlessly and we got some beautiful and emotional photos of these precious moments.
The guests are seated and Anth is waiting at the top of the aisle, he’s a little nervous but looks so very happy. Amy takes her Dad’s arm and together they make their way down Rushpool’s beautiful staircase. A nervous intake of breath and a shy smile from our beautiful bride she looks radiant and Dad has a reassuring hand as he escorts his daughter to give her away.
Anth is emotional as Amy walks towards him but recovers as Amy reaches him and together they turn to the registrar who welcomes them and begins the wedding ceremony.
As they are pronounced husband and wife they look absolutely thrilled and share their first kiss to applause and shouts of delight from their family and friends. As they’re escorted to the table for the all important paperwork I grab a few phots of the guests and then we set up a signing photo.
When I’m photographing a wedding at Rushpool Hall I ask the wedding team to hold back the welcome drinks while we do confetti photos and a group photo. Having a captive audience and doing it now is so much easier then trying to gather everyone up again later so doing it this way is quick and painless. Luckily the weather was amazing so everyone was happy to stand for photos and also join me in photographing the family groups.
Thanking everyone I urge them to go inside and get themselves a drink. I tell Amy and Anth to have a breather and go and spend some time with their family and friends as they’ll want to pass on their congratulations. Paul the magician is inside ready and waiting to entertain.
Amy & Anth want lots of photos of the two of them together… yay ! Rushpool Hall has endless photo opportunities so after leaving them alone for 15 minutes a grab them and we head outside. Spring is here at last. The daffodils have made an appearance and everywhere looks a little more alive. I don’t even need to pose these two, they hold hands and look at each other often without even realising they’re doing it. I had the best time taking these two out for photos, we laughed so much and I also got to know a little bit more about their thoughts and plans for the future.
The ceremony room has been transformed for the wedding breakfast and again Sam has excelled and it looks beautiful. Paul has been booked for the drinks reception and is entertaining the guests with magic tricks and his unique humour, he also has a few special tricks up his sleeve for the couple and they get their own private performance.
The guests are welcomed into the room and then stand to receive the bride and groom. Speeches are first, always a good idea as a nervous public speaker won’t enjoy the meal if they know the bit they dread is looming. The speeches are the perfect mix of humorous stories and emotional moments gleaning laughter and tears from a captive audience.
The sun is just making it’s way down to the horizon so I ask Anth and Amy is they mind holding back on their dessert so we can run outside for sunset photos. Laid back as ever they say yes. I’m thrilled, I’m not sure I’d let anything come between me and my pudding so a round of applause from me ! we take full advantage of sunset and blue hour. It’s actually nice to have a walk out after your meal, it’s a bit of fresh air, time together alone and it sets you up nicely for the evening celebrations ahead.
The dance floor is set up and they’ve chosen Perfect by Ed Sheeran for their first dance. The cake, made by Gabriella is placed in the middle of the floor and guests and myself photograph the countdown and the first cut before the couple take their place in the middle of the floor. They’ve asked the bridesmaids and groomsmen to join in part way through which is just such a lovely idea and takes the pressure off.
I always take an umbrella into a wedding venue, just in case and this time it pay off. A glance through the window shows rain absolutely bouncing off the ground. I tentatively ask for rain photos. Amy smiles, rolls her eyes and says yep, lets do it. We get just 5 minutes of rain but that’s all we need.
I say my goodbyes and let them head back inside to enjoy their evening. My face aches from smiling and laughing all day and I left feeling I’d made new friends. These guys have had a few tough times but they are there for each other and really are the very best of friends. As I sit here and write about their day I feel honoured to have been a small part in such a beautiful wedding. I will treasure memories of this wedding and wish this fabulous young couple the very best of what life can give them.
Congratulations Anth and Amy,
Much love
Ange xxx
