As We Walk This Journey...
As We Walk This Journey From Beginning To End
I am glad I have my true love, and best friend.
The Loveliest Shropshire Wedding Of Ellie & Andy
These beautiful words were what Andy had written onto the soles of Ellie's wedding shoes, simple and timeless, words that echoed in my mind throughout the time I spent with this loveliest of couples. A closer bond would be hard to find on this weekday in May. I often say to my couples how lucky I am, working alongside them on such amazing days, but more than that, I am so lucky that they have chosen me out of all the wedding photographers in Shropshire, to capture their most special of special days, and from the moment I turned up and out of a taxi jumped the groomsmen in boxer shorts, I knew this day was going to be rather special!
So, with that in mind I have changed up the way I am going to write about my couple's special days, after all, I am but a casual observer to the end of the journey, so let's hear from Ellie and Andy about their wedding, in their own words....well prompted by a little Q&A :)
HOW DID YOU MEET?
We met unexpectedly in 2011 at big church conference called New Wine in Somerset where we were both working on a team looking after 9-11 year olds. Andy was working up on stage and I had a small group of children to look after. We met during “team time” and the rest is history.
TELL ME YOUR PROPOSAL STORY:
Andy took me to Lake Vrynwy in Wales for a walk and afternoon tea. Lake Vrynwy has always been a special place for us, full of peace and wonderful views. We took drinks back to our hotel room and sat on the balcony enjoying the beautiful view together. He went into the room briefly and I turned around a few minutes later and he was on one knee with a beautiful ring asking me to marry him. It was just perfect.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO HAVE YOUR WEDDING AT THE ALBRIGHT HUSSEY?
As soon as we drove up the track and saw the beautiful Tudor house surrounded by picturesque fields we knew it was the one. It was historic, rustic and quaint, plus the staff were incredibly lovely. The added bonus was the moat with the black swans and the wonderful, well-kept grounds. It is just a place you will never forget, from the views, to the food, to the rooms, it is magical.
WHAT WAS IT YOU LOVED ABOUT YOUR OUTFITS AND ACCESSORIES THAT MADE YOU CHOOSE THEM?
Ellie – My dress was one I found by accident with my Mum, sister-in-law and best friend. After hours of trying on dresses, we ran out of appointments but there was a small shop around the corner that had just had a cancellation. The first dress I tried on, I loved. The whole experience was made extra special and just seemed like fate. As for the accessories, they were extremely personal to both my family and Andy’s family – the combination of them both was significantly precious. I felt very honoured to wear them.
Andy– I wore a brown 3 pieces tweed suits that I thought fitted the venue and the setting. My groomsman, best men, father and father-in-law also wore the same suits. My favourite accessory I wore was an antique pocket watch; given to me by Ellena as a wedding gift. It was a beautiful idea and stood out.
TELL ME ABOUT THE VISION YOU HAD FOR YOUR WEDDING INCLUDING YOUR THEME/COLOUR SCHEME/STYLING/FLOWERS:
Ultimately we just wanted our guests to be comfortable and enjoy the day as much as we knew we were going to. We wanted it to be cosy, intimate and just full of joy. We weren’t necessarily set on colour schemes but in the end things worked towards the light pink, rose gold, maroon and cream colour palette, which was wonderful particularly against the green of the grounds at the Albright Hussey and brought out some colour in the reception room.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST DANCE AND WHY DID YOU CHOOSE IT?
Our first dance was to Iris, Goo Goo Dolls. We chose it because it is a beautiful song that is personal to us.
WHAT WERE THE MOST WONDERFUL PARTS OF THE DAY FOR YOU?
Ellie – Walking down the aisle to see Andy (crying! * winner *) was just so special and something that I will never forget. Of course I enjoyed the speeches, but thoroughly loved the first dance and the Ceilidh, which just got EVERYBODY up on their feet and enjoying the evening. Also the food. Obviously the food was insane especially the pizza party! Nom.
Andy – Marrying my best friend surrounded by all those we love is indescribable. The whole day was incredible.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE PHIL FOR YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER AND WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE OF YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY ON THE DAY?
Phil is a very kind and talented photographer. For me, obviously a wedding photographer is one of the most key parts of your day and in the lead up to that special day. I wanted somebody I could relax in front of the camera with and just enjoy his company as if he was one of our guests. We are thankful in that we have a few friends who are extremely into their photography and they said that Phil's work is timeless. We enquired and were met with just the most friendliest person. Phil went above and beyond, capturing things we didn't even know needed to be captured. Everything was natural, everything flowed and Phil put us at complete ease. You know that you can trust him with one of the most important days of your life. He created moments that we, our family and our friends, will treasure forever.
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR BEST BIT OF ADVICE TO OTHER COUPLES PLANNING THEIR WEDDING?
In terms of planning it, just enjoy it. Don’t get hung up on the little things especially if they don’t go your way. At the end of the day it’s not worth it, your wedding day will still be the best day of your lives so far. On the day, Andy and I had a word that when whispered to each other we would take a second, step back, and look around us: watching everybody we love enjoying themselves, celebrating with us, laughing and just full of joy. It is something spectacular and magical to have those memories and to think back on.
Lastly I asked Andy and Ellie to pick a single image each....and tell me why. Here's what they picked :)
Andy's Photo:
“In a beautiful place, with all our closest friends and family and the love of my life beside me”
And lastly, Ellie's choice:
"We did it! I've never felt joy and love like it, not just from my soul mate but from our loved ones. It was an overwhelmingly beautiful day"
I hope you've enjoyed reading through Ellie and Andy's gorgeous Shropshire Wedding and I hope this is of some use to you guys out there in wedding planning land, if you'd like to know more about me and my work, then please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Enjoy the rest of the images and do please let me know if you have any questions, or just leave Andy and Ellie some blog love, below.
Phil x
Peckforton Castle Wedding | Craig + Colette
The beautiful Cheshire Wedding of Craig & Colette
A preview of this amazing wedding at Peckforton Castle, which was stunningly decorated by Izabella of the incredible "The Blossom Co"...just beautiful work.
More from this incredible wedding soon.
Px
Amy + Aaron : Pentre Mawr
Amy + Aaron
Pentre Mawr Wedding
Sometimes we look back at the work we do and think, yeah, this was one of those days....one where we drag ourselves out of the bed, early in the morning, as the daylight threads it's beautiful rays across the land, we stand there, supping a cup of hot coffee and plan what we are doing in our minds for the next 14 hours. The body aches, the soul is weary, the tiredness all consuming, but we get our head right, grab some breakfast, pile all the bags into the car, say our farewells and off we go. What we are going to do that day is yet to be decided, apart from one little thing. We are going to a wedding, a place called Pentre Mawr. A place we have heard about but never actually seen.
The car rumbles down the road, radio 2 blasting out on the airwaves, and our minds travel forward in time, imagining all the images we are going to grab, the stories we are going to tell. Two souls have their hopes, their fears and their expectations, sat firmly on our shoulders. Weighing heavily as the car makes it's way through the gorgeous Welsh countryside.
Finally we arrive and make our way to see the smiling faces that are waiting for us.
One less thing to worry about, Phil's here!
A quick hello and it's off for a scout, not been here before, need to plan, to create, to spot all those shapes, patterns, see how the light is falling and mentally plot the course of the Sun, yeah, the Sun. It's actually a beautiful day. Thank the Gods for that at least, no rain to contend with. Unlike Jenni and Mark's waterfall extravaganza, where it essentially pissed down all day, killing one camera and making me as wet as I have ever been. But even so that was one hell of a wedding.
Into the day we dive, and what a day. Amy and Aaron are one of life's incredible couples, I know they had massive high hopes for their images, I can only hope I met with their expectations. Taking a more relaxed and documentary approach was vital to them, sitting quietly and observing was so important. The emotions that surrounded this couple was tangible you could sense and feel the sheer love that was flowing around them like some unseen force. A truly wonderful day. From the quiet moments at Amy's dear Mother's resting place, to the trip down memory lane with some old photographs a guest had brought along, to the tears and the laughter of what is undoubtedly one of my favourite speeches, ever.
Yes, this was indeed one of those days, and I can only hope I get to see many many more like this day. Thank you so much Amy and Aaron for being you, you are undoubtedly two of life's wonderful, and beautiful, people.
Much love and happiness to you both.
Px
Do make sure you check out the fab slideshow right at the end :)
Ready for some more? Then turn up the volume and go full screen for some beautiful moments from this amazing Pentre Mawr Wedding :)