Hazel and Jonathan were married at Normanton Church, on the south shore of Rutland Water. This was a wonderful setting and I was delighted when they asked me to be their Rutland wedding photographer.
Normanton Church was a village church up until 1970 when the valley in which it stands was flooded to make way for a new reservoir, Rutland Water. The church was destined for demolition but saved by local people and now sits on an island at the end of a causeway. When the reservoir is full the church – long since deconsecrated – appears to float on the water. This means it’s an incredible venue for weddings and made this photographer very happy, too!
Hazel arrived at the church in a dusky pink vintage Vauxhall, wearing a white, ruched and strapless dress which looked spectacular with her red hair. The bridesmaids wore soft pink lace dresses with bouquets of blue roses. Hazel’s bouquet had a mix of the blue roses and wine-coloured roses to match the tie worn by Jonathan. The music was played by a harpist, which was a lovely touch.
Old churches can be dark, but on this day the light flooded through the clear glass windows, lighting the wedding party beautifully. When the party left the church there was a deep blue winter sky waiting for them, a perfect backdrop for their wedding photos.
Then it was off to The Noel in nearby Oakham for the wedding breakfast. This was a warm and intimate setting for a wedding reception, perfect for a cold evening. The Noel may have been intimate, but there was still space for those wedding essentials – a band and dancefloor! The wedding cake had Lego versions of Hazel and Jonathan getting married, which revealed a rainbow of sponge stripes when cut.
Later, we went back to Normanton church as a surprise for Hazel. The church in the sunset looked dramatic, especially as the lights illuminating the outside of the church had been lit until midnight just for the newlyweds. Congratulations Hazel and Jonathan!
If you’re thinking of getting married in Rutland and/or Normanton church, feel free to enquire about my availability, I would love to be a Rutland wedding photographer again!
Venue: Normanton Church
