Natalie and Tom chose to hold their wedding celebrations in the village where they live in the heart of the Swaffhams. The church, drinking reception venue and the marquee were all very close to their house, where Natalie was getting ready, so an elegant and lovely village wedding set in the Cambridgeshire countryside was on the cards.
Natalie had found my website while looking for wedding photographer Cambridgeshire in Google, and from the moment I met the couple; I knew it was going to be a great day. We hit it straight away, and we had a very friendly relationship from the very beginning. Natalie and Tom are a lovely couple.
The village is dominated by its twin churches that have been in the parish since at least the 12th century: the Church of St Mary where they were going to be married, and the Church of St Cyriac, where their drink reception was to be held. The marquee was in a field nearby. All very close by and great, especially in warm sunny weather.
My second shooter and I arrived at midday, for the bridal preparations at the couple’s house, it was a very relaxed affair, with everyone having breakfast around the main kitchen table. Imagine the scene, laughter and giggles amongst the smell of coffee and nail varnish. Perfect. This village house was great and full of items belonging to the couple, making everything very personable.
The day went like a whirlwind. We all came out of the house in a procession towards the church, as stone’s throw away. There we were greeted by a very intimate wedding ceremony and a friendly vicar. We got plenty of opportunities to capture amazing images.
After the ceremony, the obligatory confetti throwing and a few group shots, the guests walked the few hundred yards separating them to the other church where the drink reception and the speeches were to be held. It was a fascinating venue, and the balcony made for an interesting viewpoint especially for the speeches and the final group shot of everybody!
After the last speech, a receiving line was organised and the guests were able to make their way to the marquee after having greeted the couple. This meant that once the last guest had said hello, we were able to take the couple to the marquee via a lovely walk through the woods and the local countryside. You could see Natalie and Tom were elated, and it made for beautiful photographs of them both.
Then everybody gathered inside the marquee for dinner. After a great meal, where we were given a seat, at a table amongst the guests, it was time for milling around before the cake cutting took place. A den decorated with fairy lights and candles had been created outside for smoking guests and people who wanted a bit of fresh air; this area allowed me to take beautiful and distinctive portraits of some of the guests, in little light. Very cosy and lovely.
Then the band I recommended to the couple, The Groovemores, played the first dance. And everyone eventually hit the dance floor.
A friendly couple, a beautiful wedding set in a countryside location. Congrats to Natalie and Tom for getting hitched and allowing us to capture that fantastic day for them. All I can say is that it was a great day’s work for a Wedding Photographer Cambridgeshire.
