For as long as I can remember God Only Knows by
the Beach Boys has done something to me. Something happens inside my throat
that bubbles up and spawns a frog. I lose the ability to speak and salty stuff
comes out of my eyes like a broken water main, all very unprofessional. So put
that song on a grand scale, in the beautiful St. Mary’s Church, Great Dunmow, being sung for a couple who are
so in love and so happy and smiley and downright keeeeoooot. God it makes me well up just thinking about it.
So on Saturday 26th August, somewhere in Essex. I cried
on the job. Openly blubbed whilst trying to capture this wonderful surprise for
the lady he loves. Yes, Helen knew nothing about it.
Tom had planned the whole thing. So when the first guest stood up,
ukulele in hand, and the next stood up, and then a flutist and then the
trumpeter all playing and singing this song in unison, I realised, God damn it,
I have the best job and they have the best friends!
I think I fell a little bit in love with Tom and Helen.
Couple Crush! They are gorgeous, so chilled out and such fun to work with. They
were completely relaxed with me and I guess it helps that they're both actors,
but still, ‘they’re naturals darling’.
The venue, Maiden’s Barn was luuuverly, super pretty,
styled to perfection and a very relaxed venue to work. Archers Caterers were
excellent and a hearty pat on the back to Juliette who couldn’t have been
lovelier or more helpful. I must also thank one of the many best men (I think 6
in total!), Nolan who did a marvelous job of rounding up the troops for photos
and being really, really efficient. Nolan, you can come and work with me if the
acting lark doesn’t pan out ;-)
Also, the videographers, Matt and Mike were ace. It was
great meeting and working with them both and hopefully our paths will cross
again one day as we trail the wedding path.
So to the most important thing about last Saturday, the
bride and groom! Firstly, Helen looked incredible. Her dress was handmade by
family friend, Cath and all I have to say is WOW, WOW, WOW. I want her to make
my dress (wink, wink nudge, nudge Potato…he’s
my partner Dom (aka Potato)
and not an actual potato).
It was perfect. In every way perfect and to see the
expressions cross their faces, looks of pride, gratitude, and relief and sheer
joy as a bride and her perfect dress are united…they were wonderful moments to
witness.
And to Tom… Mr. Ginger Essex. I just think you are
awesome. And you’re crazy friends are awesome too; they made me giggle lots
over the course of the day and that best man speech! I will never forget the
look on your Nan’s face when ‘that’ story came out. Priceless! And a true token
to just how loved you clearly are.
This was a wedding full of joy, humour, cheekiness and a stage load of
love. The sweets weren’t half bad too and hats off to Ivy, Helen’s Mum, who arranged the whole tuck shop
table. It was
amazing and I took a little bag home for Potato, but sadly for him I polished
off the lot in the car back home. Oh dear.
I’m hoping (if I’ve done a good job of course) to go and
see Helen in Les Miserables as I sincerely hope our paths cross again. They
have tweeted some love and shown such appreciation for me over the course of us
working together and I hope I’ve done them proud and captured their day exactly
as they dreamed.
You have been such a pleasure to work for and I wish you
both such a happy life together, you clearly deserve the very best and I hope
to see you both one day on the big screen so I can say to Potato, ‘Potato, I
shot their wedding I did!’
A big dose of love, and respect to you
both!
Loukie xx
