I met James and Emma a couple of years ago at Combermere Abbey’s Open Day. I knew instantly I wanted to photograph their wedding, and thrilled when they contacted me to say they wanted me to be their Combermere Abbey Wedding Photographer.
We caught up before their wedding over the phone and went through the order of the day and I could not been more excited with their plans.
Both Emma and James got ready at Combermere Abbey. I love it when prep happens at Combermere Abbey. The simple fact that the cottages are just so sociable. Everyone stays over the night before, prep begins (and less stress) and people are hopping from cottage to cottage. The atmosphere is super!
Emma and the girls were incredibly relaxed and very organised, as were James and the Groomsmen in the next door cottage. The boys headed off a little earlier to grab a beer at the Lord Combermere.
The ceremony took place at St James The Great Church in Audlem. James and Emma could not have been happier to see each other at the top of the aisle. Beaming from ear to ear! It was so good to capture from the front.
The ceremony was so joyous, with wonderful readings from guests, beautifully sung Christmas hymns and gorgeous glances exchanged between Emma and James. Once the ceremony was finished, we commenced with the family photos in church. Both Emma and James loved the church that they got married in so it was important to incorporate it in the photos. Also the best bit, they arranged for mince pies and sherry in church for everyone, before departing for the reception at Combermere Abbey by bus. This was a good use of time to do the family photos too, meaning everyone could relax once at the venue.
When the bus was ready for everyone, we organised the confetti shot for James and Emma to depart too. The wind was wiping around church making sure it got Emma and James! We went straight into portraits by the North Wing of the Abbey and in the wonderful gardens at Combermere while the guests arrived and tucked in on reception drinks and canopees. By the time we completed the portraits of Emma and James everyone had gathered in the Glasshouse to welcome in the new couple with an almighty cheer!
Before the wedding breakfast, we did a sparkler shot, which looked beautiful. This worked out perfectly being a winter wedding as it was dark early evening. With everyone heading over to the Pavillion it was perfect timing. (I’m always mindful of making the day flow for my couples and so things do not take too long/getting people cold/standing around too long.)
Everyone got cozy in the Pavillion for speeches which were very entertaining! ….Boy James’ brother/ Best Man was hilarious! An amazing meal was served up by Olive Tree Catering and straight into cake cutting.
What I LOVED about the evening with James and Emma’s Wedding, they did not arrange a DJ or band. They asked the bridal party to do a set of half an hour each. It was absolutely fab and many of The Greatest Showman songs were played, making some cracking photos!
James and Emma’s wedding was my final wedding of 2018 and what wedding to finish on, I blooooooooooming LOVED it!!!
If you would like to see more of Combermere Abbey in Winter, please do click this link and see how pretty this wonderful Shropshire Wedding Venue looks in the snow. Please click here
Suppliers:
Cake: Bespoke Celebration Cakes .
Flowers: The Flower Divas
