Sipping Mulled Wine and Sharing Mince Pies - Becca and Simon Have Their Dream Cosy Christmas Wedding
It's well over a year since I sat in The Page in Hebden Bridge with Becca and Simon, meeting them for the first time over a cup of tea. At the time, they hadn't booked and they made plans to meet so that we could chat and see if I was a good fit for them as their wedding photographer. These things can be a little daunting, especially for an introvert like me, but meeting these two was like meeting friends.
When Becca's email arrived later, her words were in essence - "when you know, you know - we'd love you to be our photographer". It's a moment that's stayed with me, and always brings a smile to my face. A lovely email, and happy news, I was very excited to be with them for their Christmas wedding.
I was lucky to hear about how plans were developing as Simon and Becca planned their wedding, something I really enjoy about my work, and which really helps me to be deeply invested and tuned in on the day itself.
We had phone calls, emails and an engagement shoot where we had opportunities to get familiar.
So when the day of Becca and Simon's wedding arrived it felt like arriving home.
I was welcomed into the family home by Becca's father and found the whole family in PJs, wooly socks and Christmas jumpers. It couldn't have been more festive.
Across town, my photography partner was with the groom's party, catching the chilled out morning that groom Simon and his best woman were having.
Simon had been out early for a test drive in his hired wedding car, which he would be driving himself, so that he and Becca could arrive in the vintage sports car alone at their wedding reception, and now he was back at home to get ready.
These two had even given each other presents to open on their wedding morning!
2 happy, relaxed houses in preparation for their wedding.
With furthest to travel, Simon set off in the AC Cobra, my second shooter was lucky to be able to ride with him and capture the journey to the ceremony, with zip up windows and a ride so low you'd feel like you were riding a go kart!
Becca had her heart set on walking to her ceremony, come rain or shine we were going on foot. So I prayed for clear skies!
Voila! Not a drop of rain in sight, just at the moment we left for Church. With bridesmaids wrapped in shawls and Becca in her Norwegian cardigan, to celebrate her heritage, the bridal party set off. They scooped up their dresses and Becca's train to avoid the December puddles.
After saying their vows at Becca's family church, St John’s Church in Ilkley, the newly married couple joined their guests at the back of church for mulled wine and mince pies.
After a whirlwind confetti exit, we zipped onward to Chevin Lodge, leaving guests to enjoy the festive refreshments a little longer.
Becca had even brought sparkly Vans to change into so that she could fully enjoy walking outdoors around Chevin Lodge's grounds.
When we had our engagement shoot together in summer, Becca and Simon had told me about their love of piggy backs, which of course had turned into action shots of the two of them having a ball at Roundhay Park. Well, before I knew it, Becca was handing over her flowers and hitching up her wedding dress without hesitation, ready for round 2!
After 10 minutes for photos alone, we got ourselves back inside to warm up.
Even when you've got your Norwegian cardy on it can get chilly in December!
For these two, Christmas is very special, Simon proposed at Christmas, and what better way to incorporate Christmas spirit into your wedding day than with Christmas Dinner in place of a traditional wedding breakfast. (That's a lot of Christmasses in one sentence!)
After a game for all the guests, the homemade photobooth complete with Instax camera got into action.
Lovely touches of this wedding were home made, the flowers, centre pieces, wedding cake and even little name tag gifts for guests. Becca and Simon were kind enough to give us one too, it's going to be a reminder of their wedding day every year on our Christmas tree.
Cosy in Chevin Lodge's log building, evening guests joined the party in time for Becca and Simon's cake cutting, these two had a gluten free Kransekake as well as their more traditional wedding cake, serving dual purpose as another little nod to Becca's family links with Norway.
Their day was so personal to these two, and perfect from start to finish.
A heartfelt thank you to Becca and Simon for inviting us to be a part of their wedding day and for making us feel so at home. Another big thank you to everyone who had a hand in making their wedding day a Christmas haven.
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