Riverside Hotel Wedding

Wedding two of two was hosted at The Riverside Hotel located in Mildenhall, where we met up with the gorgeous Leyton and Fern for their long awaited wedding day! Their wedding had been postponed due to the dreaded Vid and we were excited that their day had finally come.

Up in one of the larger bedrooms of the hotel we found our bridal party, all hands on deck! Hair and make up was in full swing and it was great to see one of the bridesmaids was a familiar face, Katie! Who had hung up her beautician gloves for the day to get pampered herself. The smallest bridesmaids were all keeping us entertained! Desperate to stave off boredom, they kept themselves busy doing gymnastics on the bed!

Downstairs the boys were chilling and relaxing. Leyton looked calm and collected as his guests continued to pour through the doors and onto the sunny patio of the Riverside hotel.

Riverside Hotel The Ceremony

Leyton did well to keep his composure up until the arrival of his girls in their bridesmaid dresses. By the time Fern made her entrance, he was totally overcome. Fern looked breathtaking - A classic style dress, with a plunging neckline and the most sensationally long veil. (I’m still swooning over it!) To top it off, it had pockets!! (Never underestimate the excitement a pocket brings to a wedding dress). The ceremony went smoothly, with plenty of smiles and a few tears of joy as these two finally said their I Do’s.

As they headed out of the ceremony, Fern and Leyton were congratulated and showered with love by their guests. Soon it was time for group shots, and as we were gathering people, we saw what we thought was a guest with cards. It turned out to be Luke Clough, busting out his magic for everyone as they celebrated in the garden! The photos of him blowing the minds of the wedding guests are some of our favourites!! It’s a personal opinion, but I think everyone needs a bit of magic on their wedding day.

Couple Shots and Speeches

Just before guests were being seated for dinner - we pinched our newly weds for portraits on the staircase, by the beautiful feature window. We thought it would be quiet up there, we were wrong! We were surrounded by inquisitive little onlookers! The kids were desperate to move us so they could continue their rampage of the Riverside hotel! We ended with a few photos out in the hotel garden as guests were being seated for food. Leyton and Fern barely needed us there as they absolutely OWNED their photos, they were comfortable with each other and desperately in love.

After a tasty 3 course meal, speeches were underway. Fern’s dad gave the most candid, hilarious anecdotes about Fern and graciously welcomed Leyton officially into their family, despite him being in their lives for 16 years! Following on from Fern's Dad, Leyton’s emotional speech reduced everyone to tears. A nod to his beautiful wife, a thank you and a cheers were all that he could muster and it was all that was needed.

Liam was up next and we were surprised by his raw, heartfelt best man’s speech. He paid his dues to the bridesmaids and to Fern, but he spoke of his friendship with Leyton and the depth of their bond, they changed each other for the better and had helped each other to adulthood. By this point we were all feeling the feels.

Reception at Riverside Hotel

The evening guests began to arrive and we were so excited to see a few people from previous weddings. The best thing about being from a small town and photographing a wedding close to home is being surrounded by familiar faces! So many of these people are also loved neighbours, school friends, family friends, smiling faces in the supermarket. It was truly wonderful.

We were ecstatic to see Terry from Sophie and Joe's wedding who was there all day and then our favourite crew from Frank and Sarah’s wedding , arriving in the evening.

We stole Fern and Leyton off for another few evening shots as the light by this point was divine. Then it was time to party into the night! Fern and Leyton danced gleefully through their first dance, followed by a beautiful father daughter dance. The party kicked off, everyone was on the dance floor! It was during these moments we caught Leyton busting moves with his eldest daughter, looking so content! We were totally in awe.