Wedding photography at Farington Lodge, near Preston in Lancashire: Laura + James

Yesterday I joined Laura & James to photograph their brilliant summers wedding at Farington Lodge over in Preston.

I hope you enjoy our the story of this special day!

I joined Laura at her family home in Preston for the bridal preparations, where she and chief bridesmaid Hayley were being pampered…

Laura was looking stunning already!

This wedding day was clearly highly emotional for Dad, as his wife had passed away a few years back. I spent a bit of time talking with him about her, and it was heart-warming to hear him reminisce and to see how passionately he still carried her with him, such as wearing her ring and the cufflinks she gave to him. In his home, he was never far from a photo of her, and hearing how clear his memories were of their time together, it made me think how when in a relationship, still making new memories, it’s easy to forget how valuable past memories are.

One of mum’s lockets was also tied to the beautiful bridal bouquet (by Poppy’s Flower Design), so she could be close to Laura.

Wedding days’ have a funny way of unearthing family politics, loss & emotions, and it’s truly an honour to be allowed into the inner circle of strangers to document them.

Upstairs the brilliant Ian Stuart bridal gown was hanging in wait! I love the rough texture and clever structure in his wedding couture.

A little flare of emotion took over as Laura’s veil was lowered over, soon put out with a fizzy toast!

James sent over a whole host of thoughtful gifts, some hinted for and some surprising (including a favourite bear, dressed especially in new wedding duds!)

Hayley, Laura’s Maid of Honour (& only bridesmaid) was a great sport, oozing that perfect blend of being both excitably bubbly while also soothingly calm.

If she were a drink she’d be a gin & tonic.

Meanwhile, Clare headed over to their wedding reception venue, Farington Lodge to join the chaps for their preparations.

It’s the first time we’ve photographed a wedding here, though I’d been for a visit and a round of practice pics with Laura & James a few months back.

James was in great spirits too, especially after receiving an awesome Tag Heuer watch as a gift from Laura!

We felt for the chaps in their three-pieces in the 30°C!

But they did a good job of looking cool all the same!

Back with out bride to be, the roller was cooling off in the shade and Laura was being gowned up by her chief & auntie

I always like the significance of an image of the bride switching over the engagement ring to her right hand.

The stage was set at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Preston, and all was still as the bride pulled up…

…or at least nearly all was still.

Though probably not cool, James was calm and collected

I love this sequence Clare caught as I waited down to the front

And after the official signing, down the aisle came a new man & wife!

Confetti bomb!

Then after a quick cheers, it was time to head over to Farington Lodge!

We jumped straight into the portraits, so we could get Laura & James back to the fizz, canaes & mingles

We’d done a brilliant practice shoot around Farington Lodge a few months back, and it really helps having been through the process before (check out their practice here)

They were relaxed and comfortable, and we were done all the quicker as a consequence!

After the official family lineups, I took the wedding party out for a few casual teamshots…

The wedding breakfast room looked fab in red and white, and as music is clearly special to Laura & James, special wedding CD compilations had been created as favours!

I like that a certain special bear already seated and ready for dinner.

Speeches were understandably emotional, but in equal measure hilarious and brilliantly delivered

Still being scorching hot, the evening reception on the lawns had a festival-like vibe

I had a bit of fun shooting the stags…

…and working some sass out of the hens!

Before heading in for the cutting of the cake and first dance, I headed out with Laura & James for a final round of quiet evening portraits (though we were being heckled from all directions with ‘Get a room’ and such throughout!)