A Peak District, Autumn Wedding
THIS WEEK, RYAN AND TEDDY TAKE US TO THE RURAL BORDERS OF THE PEAK DISTRICT, ON THE LOVELIEST OF AUTUMN DAYS. TUCKED AWAY IN ROLLING HILLS AND WINDING ROADS, THE ASHES WEDDING VENUE PROVIDED THE PERFECT RURAL BACKDROP TO THEIR WEDDING. COMBINE THEIR LOVING FRIENDSHIPS AND FAMILY, WITH THEIR DAPPER STYLE AND SENSE OF FUN, AND YOU'VE BASICALLY GOT THE PERFECT WEDDING DAY! EVEN THE DODGY SPARKLERS DIDN'T STOP US GETTING BRILLIANT SHOTS IN THE DARKNESS. MAKE SURE TO FLICK THROUGH TO THE END TO SEE...
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I'd been looking forward to this wedding for some time. These guys really are the loveliest couple. We had had such a lovely time at their couple shoot, and I was super excited to put all that fun and love into their wedding photos. Oh, and if you didn't catch their pre-wedding blog post, you really should go and give it a read. Their Nearly-Wed Q&A is awesome!
Because the venue was so far away, I did my recce early that morning. After driving up the long lane to it's doors, The Ashes Wedding Venue revealed a most charming courtyard. Enveloping this courtyard, were the historic barn buildings which housed Ryan & Teddy's day, and around that were the far reaching rural views which so beautifully set the scene.
THE LAST FEW COLOURS OF AUTUMN WERE CLINGING TO SOME TREE BRANCHES, AND DEW RESTED IN GRASS AS I WALKED ACROSS THE LAWNS.
Add to this, their dapper three-piece wool suits and red-orange colour scheme, and you had the ideal 'Autumn Country Chic' wedding.
I always like to recount some of my favourite moments, but it's hard with this one. The feeling of the whole day was so joyous and connected, and I felt that every time I pressed the shutter. A couple of moments do stick in my mind though, when this felt most vivid.
The first was after the ceremony. I had asked them both to take a walk away from the venue, so I could shoot them on the long lens. On their walk back, with the vibrant Autumn yellows and oranges blurred in the distance, they laughed and chatted. There is something about a newlywed couple taking their first walk together, alone and away from the party. It's a special moment for just the two of them (aside from the creepy photographer in the bushes of course).
AS THEY STRODE UP THE HILL IN THEIR STRIKING SUITS, THEIR SMART SHOES CLICKING TO THE PAVEMENT, THEIR CHEMISTRY LIT UP THE FRAME.
I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. In these moments I sometimes just laugh out loud at how lucky I am to capture stuff like this.
The second was during the hours of darkness. After a chaotic organising of the wedding party outside (with hundreds of sparklers and one lighter) I had to find a way to get the sparkler shots they wanted, with sparklers that didn't really light, or stay lit for long. Once Ryan and Teddy were stood amidst all the smoky and sparkly fun though, everything fell into place. Through the lens, I picked out fleeting moments of laughter and kissing, and the smiles of their friends and family around them. From the outside, it probably looked like absolute madness.
BUT WITHIN THAT CHAOS, SPARKLERS WAVING ACROSS THE LENS, IT WAS MAGIC.
Huge thanks to Vikki, Wedding Co-ordinator at the venue, for helping to make it happen!
I could not be happier for you Ryan and Teddy, and I hope you had a wonderful honeymoon away. I'm not at all jealous of the list of amazing places you went. Nope. Not at all envious. Oh and by the way, your cliff-top vow renewal is already booked in ;)
GWx
