Yesterday I joined Kate & Liam to photograph their wedding at Heaton House Farm on the border of Cheshire and Staffordshire!
I hope you enjoy the story of their wedding day!
I joined the ‘Bride in Grooming’ & her bridal squad at her family home in Leigh, Lancashire
This little flower girl was brilliant. As was the height-wall!
The bridesmaids were all great fun.
Kate looked amazing!
Meanwhile, my pro shooter pal Cris Matthews headed to join Liam & the chaps at Toft Hall in Macclesfield.
Here’s the man of the hour!
Job done! Team Groom Assembled!
The brilliant St James The Great Church in Gawsworth was the host to the wedding ceremony.  This ace pink limestone building dates all the way back to 1430!
Meanwhile, back at Kate’s HQ, it was time to gown up and don the choo’s!
Really like this one.
Dad was an emotional soul and it was lovely seeing him see his girl all ready for her big day.
Kates Nan & Grandma were no longer with us, so they hitched a ride on the bouquet for a great view of days fun.
And so we were off!
The rector of St James The Great was the brilliant Rt Reverend William A Pwaisiho OBE, who’d apparently filled the tardiness with tales of his homeland!
This guy was a complete legend! Â A big-spirited, amusing character of a man who delivered one of the most memorable ceremonies I’ve heard in a long time.
Here comes the bride!
Kate & Liam’s pal Simon played the organ beautifully for the hymns…
Really like this one.
Cris found his way upstairs to get a few funky elevated shots
This was a sweet moment.  Sometimes vicars juggle where they do the ‘kiss the bride’ moment.  Some straight after tying the knot (usually literally tying their neck scarf around the newly-weds joined hands), some after the registry and before heading back down the aisle and some fuddies don’t do it at all.  It keeps us on our toes, and Right Reverend William announced it after the kneeled blessing and as it caught Kate by surprise, she did this brilliant smile above!  How lovely.
Aww.
Kates best pal did a lovely reading and, in family tradition, her mum wrote & read a poem she’s written specially!
Back down the aisle as man & wife!
After a quick shot of everyone…
It was confetti bomb time!
I love doing these.
Then it was over to Heaton House Farm on the Cheshire / Staffordhshire border.
Before heading in, we took a little spin around this working farm to shoot a few relaxed portraits.
We’d done a pre-wedding meeting here a little while back to get these guys used to being photographed (check it out here).
It always helps to have been through it before, as it’s always a kind of strange experience!
Then we whistled through the family lineups
…and a fun selection of wedding party groups!
I do like it when the team don’t take themselves too seriously!
Love how the middle groomsman pulled a gun at the last minute!
The marquee looked ace all set for the meal.
Speeches were a laugh
As the evening set, Kate, Liam & Cris Matthews (also known as ‘Flash Matthews’ for his amazing flash skills) went outside for a few evening portraits as the sun set
Always nice to land lucky on the sky in a spot like this, on the top of a hill!
Then as the evening reception started to get rolling…
We opened the photobooth!
Always a laugh!
Then it was time for the traditional cake cut…
Before first dance to a spot of Whitney!
Such a good song choice, played brilliantly by Yorkshire based muso’s the White Keys.
OMG! BUBBLES!
I wasn’t the only one to think this!
Then we left the gang to get down to the tunes!
Another cracking day all round! Â Kate & Liam are a lovely couple and it was fab to join their near and dear to enjoy the celebrations!
Here’s hoping they have a fab honeymoon in Copenhagen!  All the best kids!
x
Barns & Cris