Tuesday 2 July 2013

Kenee, Soph, the Wooden Spoon and Pompom Politics

So it was the morning of Kenee and Soph’s wedding and there was nervous excitement brewing across the fields of Busses Farm and spreading into the yurts that dotted the land of East Grinstead. Everyone had got over Pomgate and the term 'Pom Pom Politics' was now brandished with jaunty laughter and knowing looks. 

The ushers emerged from the Yurts and started scrubbing up after what can only be described as an ill-advised (night before) get-together. Kenee on the other hand looked poised, polished, and excited. The resident doggy insisted on continual stick throwing… he, too, was clearly excited.

Soph and the girls were occupying the house and cracking open the champers. Operation ‘glam’ was in full swing.

It was time…

The weather was sketchy, but the forecast was promising. 

Kenee (Key – frantic hand gesticulation of a turning key and Knee – frantic pointing at knee) and Sophie (as in Soph) were getting married. And I couldn’t wait.

The day brought so many delights. Of course, the usual suspects were in tow, wellies were in abundance, the drink flowed (perhaps a little too freely in the case of a previous winner of the Wooden Spoon), the food was plentiful and utterly delicious (once again Raf from The Antelope in Tooting wowed me with his foodie delights), and then there were the cakes… oh the cakes! They were amazing and deserve a blog post all to themselves. There was a competition…lots entered, few disappointed (someone did bring a bag of £1.10p doughnuts which I thought was a stroke of genius in a ridiculously lazy ironic way) and one won; Bravo to Diane, Kenee’s mum.  She did produce a beautiful cake and was definitely the worthy winner.

Soph looked absolutely incredible thanks to some mighty fine genes and a little help from make-up artist and hair extraordinaire Sarah Green. And then there was that exquisite dress (from London Bride Couture) and the veil… oof, that veil was amazing in the wind, I loved it. Annoying as they can be for a bride, they do look amazing in photos! No pain no gain ladies. No pain no gain!

And in the case of the Wooden Spoon it is indeed, ‘No pain no gain’. The most shameful drunk wins…oh and it’s shameful and no doubt painful. Many have won, few have been ongoing champions (Jake) and at each wedding it gets handed down to the next loose canon. This year, congratulations go to Eloise for her antics and well done to all the runners up. You tried hard but alas, failed. There is always the next wedding and who knows, it might be me one day ;-) After all, there is a trophy at stake. 

So all in all, this was one super duper, mighty fine wedding. Kenee and Soph’s heart and soul went into every little detail and I think everyone present would agree, they did a spectacular job. Everyone had a wonderful time because it had everything, pretty things, pompoms, love, tears, a utterly hilarious best man speech (Kenee thought he was alien as a child…who knew?! Thanks for enlightening us Dave) and there was even a late night rave for good measure. It will be talked about for years to come, I guarantee. A nod of appreciation must also go to Mark Kingprawn for being a superb Master of Ceremonies!

Ooh I almost forgot… there was no first dance, just a very big massive loving circle of people singing with all the gusto of a merry rabble, ‘You give a little love and it all comes back to you…la la la laaa laa la la…’ Anyone who grew up with Bugsy Malone will know and understand… it was a big moment!

So to two of the loveliest, most gorgeous people I know… I am very honoured to call you both friends and I feel honoured to have been chosen to photograph your day. I wish you all the very best for future together and I hope the photos will be treasured and laughed at for many years to come. God knows, I’ve laughed a heck of a lot going through them.

Big love to you both…

Loukie xxx