We finally sat down last night to watch the slideshow you’ve put together, and well……I wish we recorded ourselves watching it so that we could send it to you. We smiled, we laughed, we cried. WE ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT.
We knew you were the right photographer for us from our very first Skype, and it was so wonderful to share our day with you, and know we were in safe hands. The photographs are just stunning and we can’t thank you enough. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.
So much to say about this wedding. Jen & Phil and their Mapperley Farm Woodland Wedding in Derbyshire has left a huge impression on us.
I can’t help but think back to our first conversation – bits & bytes pinging through Skype to bridge the gap between the UK & Australia. Discovering that antipodean connection, listening to what was important to them about their wedding. A love for the outdoors and being connected to the environment & the landscape. It’s part of the reason they opted for a humanist ceremony in the woods. To be surrounded by not only their friends & family, but by trees of old – encircled within their own piece of the land for a day.
When you come this far to celebrate your wedding, you go all out & make the most of it. That’s the sense I had from Jen & Phil on their day. Completely present. In the moment. Magnetised with those around them. Nothing convinced me more of that than when Jen & Phil were together with one another during the ceremony. Holding, hugging & kissing each other sweetly & spontaneously – fully taking advantage of the sense of freedom & expression to be yourselves that humanist ceremonies allow.
There was an impeccable soundtrack to the whole day feat. The Beatles, Arctic Monkeys, and of course, The Smiths (Phil’s last name, Jen’s new last name)… Naturally Phil’s theme song, “This Charming Man”, was blasted on the dance floor – as was a surprising & spontaneous rendition of the song sung by Phil’s brother during speeches.
Someone brought an Aussie Rules ball (it’s basically the same as a rugby ball!) to kick around after the meal. A fire was lit, marshmallows were toasted, the string lights flickered on and the warmth of the marquee & dance floor beckoned…
As the sun dipped below the tree line, we took a walk away from the party. For me, it was a chance to take some portraits of the two of them in the gorgeous fading light of the day. But as we stopped and gazed back at the party, I suspect that for Jen & Phil, the time was more about seeing everyone they loved together in one beautiful scene. Feeling content. Drinking it all in…
Shout out to Mary at River and Fern for second shooting this one with me (Kim). For not complaining about the squeaky & ear piercing brake pads on my car and for making some brilliant images.
The list of lovely suppliers from this wedding:
Venue | Mapperley Farm, Derbyshire
Flowers | The Flower Patch
Cake | Jessica Keen (Jen’s niece!)
Catering | The Red Olive
DJ | The Hi-Life
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