We’re so excited to share this next wedding - It was an emotional day for everyone, including us two photographers! Aaron and Jess chose the exclusive Swynford Manor for their Autumn wedding. We met these two back in 2017 whilst we were shooting Jess’s brother’s wedding. Since then the two have been through quite the journey and recently moved into their new home and got engaged.
We knew that Jessica was organised, but she sure knows how to throw a party! Her maid of honour even commented during the speeches, that her speech may have been the only part of the wedding that Jess hadn’t managed to perfect. Being organised for an Autumnal wedding is key to making the most of your day.
Bridal Prep:
When we arrived on Saturday morning, there was a hushed buzz in the bridal suite. It was so calm and we caught the girls working their way through a beautiful Harriet’s brunch. (yum!) Jess was already looking radiant, but her bridal prep team made her absolutely beam. She made the absolutely fantastic choice to move into a vacant and tidy suite to put her dress on, giving her the perfect space to get dressed for the big day. The rooms at Swynford Manor are illustrious and glam! Complete with copper baths and all beautifully furnished. We are big fans of this venue!
Jess looked glorious! Her Dad was speechless when he saw her for the first time and the bridesmaids were all equally emotional.
The boys were getting ready downstairs and also had a stellar brunch! They were unusually prepared for a Groom’s party and all that was left to capture were a few final details. It wouldn't have been right not to make use of the copper bathtubs so two of the groomsmen took a couple of romantic snaps in it before we left! As we made our way out, the boys were in particularly chipper moods, but that could have been the whisky talking! They all had cheeky hip-flasks that made several appearances!
The Ceremony:
Aaron and Jess did not pick a conventional time for an autumn wedding, usually you would want to take full advantage of the earlier ceremony slots, to allow you as much light as possible in the afternoon. However, this organised bride laid out her schedule very well to make sure they didn’t miss any of the available light.
The ceremony began and as everyone turned around to welcome the bride, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house! Aaron managed to keep it very cool, but Jess’s mum (who is a total rockstar) shed delicate, proud tears for her girl.
It was a pleasure being able to watch these two tie the knot and the ceremony was beautiful and emotional. It was such a significant moment for everyone and the heartfelt readings had the whole room sniffling. Aaron and Jessica were engulfed in cheers and applause as the first kisses were exchanged.
Straight after the ceremony we headed out to the stairwell, for the ever popular confetti shot! At their pre-wedding meeting, we said to pull this staircase shot off, they would need a shed load of confetti. Well… Jess delivered! They were consumed in a hail storm of lavender and rose petal confetti! It was aesthetically stunning with the added bonus that it made the hotel smell like a Moroccan paradise!
The Perfect Autumn Wedding Afternoon
Whilst the guests mingled and congratulated our happy couple, Tom Ryder the wedding musician joined us to serenade the guests - He was epic! We sauntered off to the pergola courtyard in the garden to capture some family shots. Autumn weddings are great for group shots as the low golden glow of the sun creates beautiful skin tones. The seasonal changes in the trees also creates a stellar backdrop.
Whilst we stole our Bride and Groom for a few portraits, Tom Ryder joined the guests outside in the hazy sun to continue the celebrations. It was an unseasonably warm Saturday, so everyone was in such good spirits.
If you’re planning your wedding around October/November time, there are lots of ways you can use the shorter daylight hours to your advantage. We’re always happy to jump in with scheduling and help you work out a plan, that will give you the most flexibility to get what you want.
Someone we Love to Remember:
Before we headed inside for food - We had the absolute pleasure of taking some shots of Jess and Aaron by her brother Adam’s wedding car. We had the incredible honour of capturing Adam and Vicky’s wedding in 2017. Adam was battling cancer at the time but he did not let it get in his way. It was a spectacular day and this car was a very special part of their wedding. A few years ago, he very sadly lost his cancer battle. Having his car at the wedding, partnered with it’s very own button hole, was the most wonderful way to honour his memory. He was a young man who inspired his family and brought them together and we love that he was still very much part of Jess and Aaron's day.
Wedding Breakfast:
Planning an autumn wedding? Your table decor can really set the mood for your wedding breakfast. When it was time to be seated, most of the daylight had already gone. The centre pieces on the tables were stunning, ornate candelabras and they brought added warmth to the room and made it a really intimate evening.
Dinner was divine as per usual, the staff were incredibly efficient and friendly! Shortly after dinner, we managed to sneak in a couple of darker and more creative shots of our Bride and Groom before we delivered them back for speeches. We love these opportunities for creative set ups. We always bring additional lights and equipment and we spend time practicing those set ups.
If you've set an autumn date for your wedding, when you’re searching for your wedding photographers, we recommend having a flick through their portfolio for evening/night time shots. This will be really important for your day.
Speeches:
Speeches were not your standard line up - Jess took the lead and curated a beautiful speech thanking their wonderful friends and family, whilst complimenting her new Husband. Jess honoured their day and spoke about their missing loved ones, those being Adam and Aaron’s mum. She was then followed by the Best Man who gave a very light hearted and warm account of his friendship with Aaron and the journey of their friendship.
Finally, the Maid of Honour rounded up the speeches! She shared funny anecdotes of hers and Jess’s friendship before leaving them with a few tippets of advice.
Let The Games Begin:
Did we tell you that Jess is an organised genius? Well SHE IS! Whilst her guests were blissfully unaware she had a company come in and set up a few wicked little games while their guests were eating. Everyone was delighted and we even captured Jess’s mum absolutely smash her dad on air hockey. What a champ.
This is another brilliant way to utilise your Autumn wedding, most of the time you won’t get mild evenings like we did during this epic day! So it’s worth having s contingency plan on how to keep your guests entertained between speeches and the first dance. Whether it’s planning evening entertainment like a magician, or a musician, or a bloody cool games room. It’s a great way to keep people mingling and happy inside if the weather turns for the worst. Which we know in England is usually the case!
First Dance:
Drinks were flowing and the good times just kept coming as we geared up for the cake cut and the first dance. The first dance song was Heaven by Brian Adams and Jess had said that this song, reminded Aaron of his mum in the kitchen. Well there was one very pregnant photographer, who just couldn’t hold her stuff together. Tears were shed and loved ones were held, this first dance just could have kept going for the rest of the night. Our hearts were so full.
We were lucky to stay for a couple of extra dances, where the Northern lads (props to you crazy bunch) absolutely slaaaayyyeeedd!!! But it was time for us to make our departures and say a massive thank you to Jess and Aaron and their stunning families. You were fantastic and we are so grateful to have shared this day with you.
Venue: Swynford Manor https://swynfordmanor.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwk5ibBhDqARIsACzmgLT90pvvOZC8zmDaa5JiNoBNWHwV1fQHnGhTcLAV_HLEoNvssjkM0FAaAgyREALw_wcB
Flowers: Flowers by Tracey
Williams https://www.flowersbytraceywilliams.co.uk//
Makeup: Dani Roberts https://www.danirobertsmakeup.com
Hair: Katrina Kelly https://www.katrinakellyweddinghair.com
Suits: Moss bros https://www.moss.co.uk
Decor: Styled by lulabelles https://www.styledbylulabelles.co.uk/bedfordshire
Place names: Porky penguin https://porkypenguin.co.uk
Dj: Love light entertainment http://lovelightentertainment.co.uk
Singer: Tom Ryder https://www.tomryderweddings.co.uk
Games/ Photo Booth: Wacky
booth https://www.wackybooth.co.uk
Want to chat with us about your wedding day? Get in touch! We'd love to hear from you
