Friday 24 August 2012

A sizzling romance - Noel and Jenny's big day


Everyone was positively sizzling at Ghyll Manor on Saturday. In more ways than one. Sizzling with excitement and sizzling with heat in equal measures. The day had a hearty 32 degrees to it's name, which seemed a far cry from our site visit conducted in torrential rain. Man it was hot, but what a day!

Full of smiles and wet brows and I think everyone will agree the venue, like the couple, was perfect. Ghyll Manor is a beautiful Tudor country house hotel with stunning grounds and a rather romantic and conveniently placed lake. I kept telling them both that if they didn’t stop me, I could carry on clicking all day with the array of options. Luckily Noel and Jenny were more than happy to indulge me and venture out again after the meal as the light (and temperature!) were a little more pleasing.   

It also featured possibly one of the funniest best man’s speeches I have ever heard. Chris (recently named The Lurker – see pictures), my hats off to you! I don’t know if it bore any relation to the real Noel, but I’m sure there were elements of truth in there, hopefully not the foray of aesthetically challenged ex-girlfriends though…you had to be there! Glad to see you have elevated your taste Noel and met the beaut that is Jenny ;-).

Noel and Jenny are the sweetest and most generous natured couple. Their love is palpable and needed no encouragement from me to capture. I met them two years ago and I knew from the off they were an ace couple. Very sadly their wedding was postponed last year due to a family illness and it was wonderful to hear that Lynda (Jen’s lovely Mum who kept trying to feed me sandwiches – anyone who tries to feed me is amazing) is now on the road to recovery and it put a big smile on my face seeing her busting some shapes on the dance floor later in the evening. Go Jen’s Mum!

Their friends and family were warm, welcoming and very funny. I was left giggling in the corner on more occasions than one. Oh if only it was acceptable to regale one man's words to fellow guests (very attractive ladies). Put it this way, it starts with ‘man’ and ends in ‘gina’ and apparently he has one. I’ll shut up.

So before I alienate readers, I would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to Noel and Jenny, for being so in love and so lovely to me on your day. I fear sometimes that I sound like a hideous sycophant when writing my blogs, but I genuinely meet wonderful people who are in love and care about whether I’ve eaten or not and most importantly, let me take pictures of them so what’s not to gush about?  I think I can be forgiven.

Noel and Jenny, I only hope I have captured your day and your memories just as you want to remember them, magical with blue skies and bright smiles. I hope your life together will be full to the brim with love and laughter, but minus the sweat and crazy flying ant army!

With much love and thanks to you both.

Loukie xx





 





























































Monday 6 August 2012

Wonderful Wormley Wedding (that's Wormley in Surrey and not something to do with worms)




What can I say about a wedding that within the first hour I am rapping (badly) the Prince of Bel Air ‘In West Philadelphia born n’raised…’ with the bridesmaids? Or a wedding held in a family home that’s garden has been entirely re-made, re-planted, re-modeled and documented here http://500-day-garden.blogspot.co.uk just for this special day? Or a wedding where Kate (Maid of Honour) made FOUR, yes FOUR, of the bridesmaid dresses? And her Aunty Christine made the fifth dress and (along with Katie's cousin) arranged all the flowers as well? Where Gillian, Super Mum and all round talented lady made the wedding dress? Where the forecast was appalling and only the sun made an appearance? Where all the table lavender was from a Aunty Mandy's garden? Where the DJ, Dylan Roberts was bridesmaid Daisy's brother? Where the bride took three attempts to throw the bouquet and then on the final attempt it was caught by Mandy who has been with Frank for 35 years? (You should have seen his face!)

Awesome! That’s what you call this wedding. This was one awesomely personal, beautiful and blessed wedding. And it was Katie and Ryan’s humanist wedding conducted by Jim Trimmer (legal biz was carried out the day before). I feel like I have known this couple and family for so long. They are warm, welcoming, loving and very talented. Katie’s Mum Gillian and Dad Bob have worked so very hard to create the perfect day for their daughter Katie and it has to be said, it was perfect. The garden looked magnificent and the marquee perfect in its place and decorated with pretty vintage jars, roses, flowers, Thistle, Lavender and polaroid pictures …it was wonderful. The food was so, so good…meat to die for (I'm always thinking about my stomach so thank you Caper and Berry)! And their family and friends were funny, welcoming, such good fun and all incredibly useful and helpful! I was so impressed by how much everyone put into it and kept putting into it throughout the day. 

Gillian created such a unique and stunning dress for Katie and she looked amazing. Elegant, flawless (fab to see make-up artist Stella again - www.stellahairdesign.com), beautiful and every ounce the gracious and relaxed bride and of course a damn fine yummy Mummy to 9 month old Emme. Ryan looked so handsome (even when he blinks;-)) and delivered an excellent comedic speech as did his brother Dean and best friend Shep, who had us all crying with laughter. Trust the best men to produce such an ominous box (see pictures) on poor Ryan's wedding day...you can always rely on your best men to stitch you up!   

To finish I would like to congratulate both Ryan and Katie, you make a wonderful couple...a little bit posh, a little bit South London (and a little bit Welsh), a little bit funny and a lot gorgeous. I hope your journey through this crazy world will be full of happiness and love and I sincerely hope that one day when Emme is a little older, she will look back on the pictures and enjoy them as much as I enjoyed shooting them. 

My love and best wishes to you all,

Loukie xx